Dirofilaria volatile organic compound signatures and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Described herein are Dirofilarial exhalant signatures and methods of detecting a Dirofilaria signature in a non-blood biological sample, such as exhalant, that can be used to detect Dirofilarial infection in a subject, such as a canine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/488,966, filed Sep. 29, 2021, which is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a) of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No.: PCT/US2021/020007, filed on Feb. 26, 2021, entitled “DIROFILARIA VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND SIGNATURES AND USES THEREOF,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No.: PCT/US2021/020007 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/983,348, filed on Feb. 28, 2020, entitled “Detection of Canine Heartworm Infection Through Breath Odorant Volatiles,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/049,371, filed on Jul. 8, 2020, entitled “Detection of Canine Heartworm Infection Through Breath Odorant Volatiles,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of dirofilarial infection.

BACKGROUND

Heartworm infection and disease is diagnosed in domestic and non-domestic canines in all 50 U.S. states and in areas outside of the United States. A 2019 study conducted by the American Heartworm Society (AHS) revealed that while no state is free of heartworm disease, dogs in the South, particularly dogs in the Southeast were most often affected. Indeed, the top five affected states according to this survey were Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Alabama. These states have been in the top tier of affected states since the AHS began tracking incidence data in 2001. In 2019, almost 10 percent of dogs tested for heartworms in Mississippi were positive and just under 8 percent of dogs that were tested for heartworms in Louisiana were positive. Rounding out the top 10 states based on incidence data were Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Moreover, the number of veterinary practices surveyed that reported seeing heartworm cases has increased since the last AHS survey completed in 2016, which 26 percent of veterinarians observing and reporting an upward trend in cases and 57 percent of veterinarians reporting there has not been an observable change in the number of cases they see each year. Those that did report an observed decrease also reported an corresponding increase in the use of heartworm prevention. Those reporting an upward trend in cases also reported a corresponding influx of heartworm-positive patients into their practice area and poor prevention compliance (e.g., missing or skipping doses).

Heartworm disease in dogs (and in other hosts where they can be pathogenic such as cats and humans) is caused by Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis). Detection of heartworms is typically done by detecting blood circulating D. immitis antigen, which has been in clinical practice for over three decades. This may also be coupled with a blood smear evaluating for the presence of circulating microfilariae. However, these methods are not failproof. Indeed, circulating D. immitis antigen may not be available for detection and can only be exposed with heat treatment of the sample, which was well documented in the 1980's (see e.g., Little et al. 2018. Parasites & Vectors. 11: Article No. 186); heat treatment of samples is not necessarily standard practice in clinics. Further, although the clinical antigen detection tests are very specific for circulating female D. immitis antigen, the sensitivity of these tests can vary widely (see e.g., Little et al., 2018 at e.g., Tables 2 and 3) due to variances in the platform for a given antigen test, test performance characteristics, and the age and number of female heartworms present (tests are only specific for female heartworm antigen) (see e.g., Atkins, C. E. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003. 222:1221-1223; Courtney et al. Vet Parasitol. 2001. 96:317-322; Lee et al., Vet Parasitol. 2011. 177:381-391). Repeated evaluation of the same test(s) has also been observed to yield different performance characteristics due to differences in specimens included in the analysis, test kit version, procedures used, and method of heartworm infection verification (see e.g., Courtney, C. H., 2001. Comparing the performance of heartworm antigen tests in dogs. In: Soll M D, editor. Recent Advances in Heartworm Disease Symposium '01. Batavia, Ill.: American Heartworm Society; 2001. p. 105-10). Further, all current antigen and microfilariae tests require a blood sample. This increases the expertise required to screen for infection and inherently limits who can perform such a test. For example, although it may be desirable for non-veterinary personnel to at least obtain samples to be sent to a veterinarian for analysis, such as animal shelter personnel, animal rescue organization personnel, law-enforcement, and the like, because a blood draw is required for current testing methods, such an approach is impractical simply because of the skill required to obtain a blood sample. Further, many animals may display behaviors that make a blood draw impractical in settings outside of a vet clinic, particularly for those not skilled in animal-handling.

Although current diagnostic tests based on circulating blood antigen have helped make great progress in the identification, treatment, and awareness of heartworm disease, there are still limitations and drawbacks to these tests that provide barriers for wider, easier, and/or more frequent implementation. Thus, there exists an urgent and unmet need for alternative and/or improved diagnostics for heartworms in dogs and hosts.

Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such a document is available as prior art to the present invention.

SUMMARY

Described in certain example embodiments herein are Dirofilaria exhalant signatures comprising one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selected from the group consisting of: an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, and combinations thereof.

In certain example embodiments, the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, or 15.

In certain example embodiments, the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 9 and wherein the 9 VOCs are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, two alkane hydrocarbons, a phenol, and a ketone.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more VOCs are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7, 8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl-tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more VOCs are selected from the group consisting of: ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl-tetradecane, 5,6, 6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.

In certain example embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is a Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis exhalant signature.

Described in certain example embodiments herein are non-invasive methods of diagnosing, prognosing, staging, and/or monitoring Dirofilaria infection in a subject, the method comprising detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is as in any one of any one of paragraphs [0008]-[00013] and elsewhere herein, whereby detection of a decrease, increase, or both of one or more VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

In certain example embodiments, the Dirofilaria infection is a Dirofilaria immitis infection.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is a human.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is a canine.

Described in certain example embodiments herein are methods of treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection in a subject, the method comprising non-invasively diagnosing, prognosing, and/or staging Dirofilaria infection in the subject by detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is as in any one of paragraphs [0008]-[00013] and elsewhere herein, whereby detection of a decrease, increase, or both of one or more VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject; and administering to the subject an anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, administering to the subject a treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, or both.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is a canine.

In certain example embodiments, the Dirofilaria is D. immitis.

In certain example embodiments, the anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises ivermectin, moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, selamectin, eprinomectin, or a combination thereof.

In certain example embodiments, the method further comprises co-administering a composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, an external parasite, or both.

In certain example embodiments, the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, an external parasite, or both is one or more compounds of one or more of the following classes benzimidazole, piperazine, depolarizing tetrahydropyrimidines, a macrocyclic lactone, neonicotinoid, phenylpyrazole, oxadiazine, pyrethrin, pyrethroid, isoxazoline, an insect growth regulator, or any combination thereof.

In certain example embodiments, the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, external parasite, or both is selected from pyrantel, pyrantel pamoate, febantel, praziquantel, oxibendazole, piperazine, spinosad, fluralaner, afoxolaner, fipronil, sarolaner, lotilaner, lufenuron, imidacloprid, Methoprene, S-methoprene, pyriproxyfen, fenbendazole, flumethrin, selamectin, eprinomectin, indoxacarb, permethrin, nitenpyram, or any combination thereof.

In certain example embodiments, the treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises administering melarsomine to the subject.

In certain example embodiments, the treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises administering a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic effective to kill adult Dirofilaria.

In certain example embodiments, the subject is administered treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria and the method further comprises administering an amount of doxycycline for two or more concurrent days to the subject.

In certain example embodiments, the amount of doxycycline is administered for about 30 days.

Described in certain example embodiments here are devices configured to collect an exhalant for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the exhalant of a single non-human animal subject, comprising an exhalant collector configured to actively and non-invasively collect exhalant expelled from the non-human animal subject without being placed in an orifice of the subject; and one or more removable collection chambers, each removable collection chamber configured to hold an amount of exhalant collected and are suitable for containment of VOCs, wherein the one or more removable collection chambers are operatively coupled to the exhalant collector.

In certain example embodiments, the exhalant collector comprises or is coupled to one or more low pressure air pumps capable of moving exhalant external to the device into the exhalant collector and into the one or more removable collection chambers.

In certain example embodiments, the device comprises one or more one-way air valves configured to control the flow of exhalant in one direction through the device from the external environment through the exhalant collector and into and optionally through the one or more removable collection chambers.

In certain example embodiments, the exhalant collector is a tube that is configured to be placed in effective proximity to a mouth, nose, nostrils, or a combination thereof of the subject during collection and draw exhalant into the exhalant collector.

In certain example embodiments, the exhalant collector is a mask that is configured to cover the mouth and nose of the subject.

In certain example embodiments, the exhalant collector, the one or more removable collection chambers, or both comprise one or more filters.

In certain example embodiments, at least one of the one or more filters is effective to remove environmental VOCs from exhalant collected.

In certain example embodiments, the exhalant collector is operatively coupled to the one or more removable collection chambers via one or more tubes.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for analysis.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of capturing and retaining VOCs from collected exhalant.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or enriching VOCs from collected exhalant.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of releasing VOCs that are captured by a material in the one or more removable collection chambers.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more collection chambers are tubes, bags, reservoirs, cartridges, or a combination thereof.

Described in certain example embodiments herein are kits comprising one or more removable collection chambers configured for the device of any one of paragraphs [0031]l -[0043] and elsewhere herein and instructions fixed in a tangible medium of expression wherein the instructions provide directions for using the one or more removable collection chambers to collect volatile organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for analysis.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers wherein the one or more removable collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or enriching VOCs from collected exhalant.

In certain example embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of releasing VOCs that are captured by a material in the one or more removable collection chambers.

Described in certain example embodiments herein are kits comprising a device as in any one of paragraphs [0031]-[0043] and elsewhere herein and directions fixed in a tangible medium of expression for using the one or more removable collection chambers to collect volatile organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

Described in certain example embodiments herein is the use of a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample to diagnose, prognose, monitor, treat, or prevent Dirofilaria infection in a subject or any combination thereof.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention may be utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an animal exhalant collection device and exhalant storage container suitable for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collection and analysis that in some embodiments is used for collection of canine exhalant for VOC analysis.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary chromatogram resulting from SPME adsorbed fibers immersed in a 1L breath capture bag and shows detected compounds from a canine breath sample.

FIG. 3 shows a gas chromatography array heat map of a Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) naturally infected population. Each row represents a different individual canine.

FIGS. 4A-4B show gas chromatography arrays that can demonstrate that there are significantly more VOCs in canines infected with D. immitis (FIG. 4A) as compared to non-infected canines (FIG. 4B) (395 v. 277 P<0.01).

FIGS. 5A-5B show plots demonstrating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in canine exhalant. 502 total unique compounds were detected. Results demonstrate that breath capture can allow for detection of distinct compounds in canine exhalant when comparing pre- and post-room sampling.

FIGS. 6A-6B show plots that can demonstrate no significant differences in VOCs were attributable to sex differences.

FIGS. 7A-7B show plots that can demonstrate that there were no significant differences in VOCs that were attributable to weight class (5.3-12.6 kg).

FIGS. 8A-8B show plots that can demonstrate no significant differences in VOCs were attributable to age.

FIGS. 9A-9B show plots that can demonstrate that there are significantly more VOCs in canines infected with D. immitis (FIG. 9A) as compared to non-infected canines (FIG. 9B).

FIG. 10 shows a gas chromatography array heat map that can demonstrate 19 distinct groupings when the differential significant features separating D. immitis infected individuals from non-infected individuals. See also Table 2.

FIGS. 11A-11D show box and whisker plots that can demonstrate the data plots for the data featured in Table 4 and indicate the features are all greater in the D. immitis negative canines (neg) as compared to positive (pos) canines.

FIGS. 12A-12C show graphs created using similar features in the Group B data corresponding to the 3.08 min retention time in the Group A data. The x-axis of each graph is a random number that has been assigned to each sample. There is more than one feature in the data which corresponds to the Group A data, with the features being graphed separately. Zero values have been imputed very small values (typically 1). The graphs can demonstrate correlations among the different masses at a given retention time.

FIG. 13 shows a table demonstrating samples found to be in the highest (negative for D. immitis) and lowest (positive for D. immitis) quartiles from Tables 5-8. Columns and rows are organized low to high. The medium gray shading with white lettering indicates that the sample can be found in both the highest and lowest quartiles (for different features). The black shading with white lettering indicates that the sample can be found only in the highest quartiles. The lightest gray shading with black lettering indicates that the sample can be found only in the lowest quartiles. The white with black lettering indicates a sample was only found a single time.

FIG. 14 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 1.43 minutes.

FIGS. 15A-15B show representative raw spectra (FIG. 15A) and spectra with the neighboring peak subtracted (FIG. 15B) at retention time 3.08 minutes.

FIGS. 16A-16B show representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 3.38 minutes.

FIG. 17 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 3.54 minutes.

FIG. 18 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 3.68 minutes.

FIG. 19 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 3.89 minutes.

FIGS. 20A-20B show representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 3.95 minutes.

FIGS. 21A-21B show representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 4.13 minutes.

FIGS. 22A-22B show representative raw spectra (FIG. 22A) and spectra with the neighboring peak subtracted (FIG. 22B) at retention time 4.45 minutes.

FIG. 23 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at retention time 4.58 minutes.

The figures herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are cited to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All such publications and patents are herein incorporated by references as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Such incorporation by reference is expressly limited to the methods and/or materials described in the cited publications and patents and does not extend to any lexicographical definitions from the cited publications and patents. Any lexicographical definition in the publications and patents cited that is not also expressly repeated in the instant application should not be treated as such and should not be read as defining any terms appearing in the accompanying claims. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided could be different from the actual publication dates that may need to be independently confirmed.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order that is logically possible.

Where a range is expressed, a further aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure. For example, where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure, e.g. the phrase “x to y” includes the range from ‘x’ to ‘y’ as well as the range greater than ‘x’ and less than ‘y’. The range can also be expressed as an upper limit, e.g. ‘about x, y, z, or less’ and should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘less than x’, less than y′, and ‘less than z’. Likewise, the phrase ‘about x, y, z, or greater’ should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of ‘about x’, ‘about y’, and ‘about z’ as well as the ranges of ‘greater than x’, greater than y′, and ‘greater than z’. In addition, the phrase “about ‘x’ to ‘y’”, where ‘x’ and ‘y’ are numerical values, includes “about ‘x’ to about ‘y’”. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints.

It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data can be expressed herein in a range format. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms a further aspect. For example, if the value “about 10” is disclosed, then “10” is also disclosed.

It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To illustrate, a numerical range of “about 0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 0.1% to about 5%, but also include individual values (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, and about 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., about 0.5% to about 1.1%; about 5% to about 2.4%; about 0.5% to about 3.2%, and about 0.5% to about 4.4%, and other possible sub-ranges) within the indicated range.

General Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Definitions of common terms and techniques in molecular biology may be found in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) edition (1989) (Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis); Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 4^(th) edition (2012) (Green and Sambrook); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (1987) (F. M. Ausubel et al. eds.); the series Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A Practical Approach (1995) (M. J. MacPherson, B. D. Hames, and G. R. Taylor eds.): Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual (1988) (Harlow and Lane, eds.): Antibodies A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) edition 2013 (E. A. Greenfield ed.); Animal Cell Culture (1987) (R. I. Freshney, ed.); Benjamin Lewin, Genes IX, published by Jones and Bartlet, 2008 (ISBN 0763752223); Kendrew et al. (eds.), The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology, published by Blackwell Science Ltd., 1994 (ISBN 0632021829); Robert A. Meyers (ed.), Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: a Comprehensive Desk Reference, published by VCH Publishers, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 9780471185710); Singleton et al., Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology 2^(nd) ed., J. Wiley & Sons (New York, N.Y. 1994), March, Advanced Organic Chemistry Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons (New York, N.Y. 1992); and Marten H. Hofker and Jan van Deursen, Transgenic Mouse Methods and Protocols, 2^(nd) edition (2011).

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in connection with a measurable variable such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, are meant to encompass variations of and from the specified value including those within experimental error (which can be determined by e.g. given data set, art accepted standard, and/or with e.g. a given confidence interval (e.g. 90%, 95%, or more confidence interval from the mean), such as variations of +/−10% or less, +/−5% or less, +/−1% or less, and +/−0.1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximate,” “at or about,” and “substantially” can mean that the amount or value in question can be the exact value or a value that provides equivalent results or effects as recited in the claims or taught herein. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art such that equivalent results or effects are obtained. In some circumstances, the value that provides equivalent results or effects cannot be reasonably determined. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about,” “approximate,” or “at or about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

As used herein, “administering” refers to any suitable administration for the agent(s) being delivered and/or subject receiving said agent(s) and can be oral, topical, intravenous, subcutaneous, transcutaneous, transdermal, intramuscular, intra joint, parenteral, intra-arteriole, intradermal, intraventricular, intraosseous, intraocular, intracranial, intraperitoneal, intralesional, intranasal, intracardiac, intraarticular, intracavernous, intrathecal, intravitreal, intracerebral, and intracerebroventricular, intratympanic, intracochlear, rectal, vaginal, by inhalation, by catheters, stents or via an implanted reservoir or other device that administers, either actively or passively (e.g. by diffusion) a composition to the perivascular space and adventitia. For example, a medical device such as a stent can contain a composition or formulation disposed on its surface, which can then dissolve or be otherwise distributed to the surrounding tissue and cells. The term “parenteral” can include subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intra-synovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intrahepatic, intralesional, and intracranial injections or infusion techniques. Administration routes can be, for instance, auricular (otic), buccal, conjunctival, cutaneous, dental, electro-osmosis, endocervical, endosinusial, endotracheal, enteral, epidural, extra-amniotic, extracorporeal, hemodialysis, infiltration, interstitial, intra-abdominal, intra-amniotic, intra-arterial, intra-articular, intrabiliary, intrabronchial, intrabursal, intracardiac, intracartilaginous, intracaudal, intracavernous, intracavitary, intracerebral, intracisternal, intracorneal, intracoronal (dental), intracoronary, intracorporus cavernosum, intradermal, intradiscal, intraductal, intraduodenal, intradural, intraepidermal, intraesophageal, intragastric, intragingival, intraileally, intralesional, intraluminal, intralymphatic, intramedullary, intrameningeal, intramuscular, intraocular, intraovarian, intrapericardial, intraperitoneal, intrapleural, intraprostatic, intrapulmonary, intrasinal, intraspinal, intrasynovial, intratendinous, intratesticular, intrathecal, intrathoracic, intratubular, intratumor, intratympanic, intrauterine, intravascular, intravenous, intravenous bolus, intravenous drip, intraventricular, intravesical, intravitreal, iontophoresis, irrigation, laryngeal, nasal, nasogastric, occlusive dressing technique, ophthalmic, oral, oropharyngeal, other, parenteral, percutaneous, periarticular, peridural, perineural, periodontal, rectal, respiratory (inhalation), retrobulbar, soft tissue, subarachnoid, subconjunctival, subcutaneous, sublingual, submucosal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, transplacental, transtracheal, transtympanic, ureteral, urethral, and/or vaginal administration, and/or any combination of the above administration routes, which typically depends on the disease to be treated, subject being treated, and/or agent(s) being administered.

As used herein, “anti-infective” refers to compounds or molecules that can either kill an infectious agent and/or modulate or inhibit its activity, infectivity, replication, and/or spreading such that its infectivity is reduced or eliminated and/or the disease or symptom thereof that it is associated is less severe or eliminated. Anti-infectives include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals, anthelmintics, and antiprotozoals.

As used herein, “exhalant” refers to the liquid, vapor, and gasses that are emitted from an organism from the lungs and out an orifice, typically the mouth and nose/nostrils, of the organism. The term “exhalant” is used interchangeably herein with “breath”.

The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequent described event, circumstance or substituent may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

As used herein, a “biological sample” refers to a sample that is of biologic origin or contains biologic elements. A biologic sample can contain whole cells (live or dead), parts of cells, cell debris, cell products (either intracellular cell products or those that are secreted or excreted from a cell), compounds produced by a biologic entity or cell(s) thereof. The biological sample can be, contain, or be derived from a “bodily fluid” or “bodily gas”. The term “bodily fluid” refers to any fluid produced by a biologic entity or subject and includes, amniotic fluid, aqueous humour, vitreous humour, bile, blood serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, cerumen (earwax), chyle, chyme, endolymph, perilymph, exudates, feces, female ejaculate, gastric acid, gastric juice, lymph, mucus (including nasal drainage and phlegm), pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, pus, rheum, saliva, sebum (skin oil), semen, sputum, synovial fluid, sweat, tears, urine, vaginal secretion, vomit, exhalant (respiratory), and mixtures of one or more thereof. Biologic gasses include, but are not limited to exhalant (respiratory), flatulence, decomposition gasses, and the like. Biological samples include cell cultures, bodily fluids, cell cultures from bodily fluids. Bodily fluids, gasses, or other biological samples can be obtained by any suitable collection method and/or technique, including but not limited to, those described in greater detail elsewhere herein, biopsy, puncturing (e.g., venous puncture), swabbing, scraping, plucking, pinching, cutting, catching (e.g., free catching urine or saliva after spitting by a subject), scooping, squeezing, expressing, extracting, sucking, passive sampling, and combinations thereof. Biologic samples can also those obtained from the environment, but contain cells or cell products secreted, released, or excreted from a subj ect.

As used herein, “cell identity” is the outcome of the instantaneous intersection of all factors that affect it. Wagner et al., 2016. Nat Biotechnol. 34(111): 1145-1160. A cell's identity can be affected by temporal and/or spatial elements. A cell's identity is also affected by its spatial context that includes the cell's absolute location, defined as its position in the tissue (for example, the location of a cell along the dorsal ventral axis determines its exposure to a morphogen gradient), and the cell's neighborhood, which is the identity of neighboring cells. The cell's identity is manifested in its molecular contents. Genomic experiments measure these in molecular profiles, and computational methods infer information on the cell's identity from the measured molecular profiles (inevitably, the molecular profile also reflects allele-intrinsic and technical variation that must be handled properly by computational methods before any analysis is done). This is referred to herein as inferring facets of the cell's identity (or the factors that created it) to stress that none describes it fully, but each is an important, distinguishable aspect. The facets relate to vectors that span the space of cell identities Computational analysis methods can be used to finds such basis vectors directly (Wagner et al., 2016).

As used herein, “cell type” refers to the more permanent aspects (e.g., a hepatocyte typically can't on its own turn into a neuron) of a cell's identity. Cell type can be thought of as the permanent characteristic profile or phenotype of a cell. Cell types are often organized in a hierarchical taxonomy, types may be further divided into finer subtypes; such taxonomies are often related to a cell fate map, which reflect key steps in differentiation or other points along a development process. Wagner et al., 2016. Nat Biotechnol. 34(111): 1145-1160.

As used herein, “cell state” are used to describe transient elements of a cell's identity. Cell state can be thought of as the transient characteristic profile or phenotype of a cell. Cell states arise transiently during time-dependent processes, either in a temporal progression that is unidirectional (e.g., during differentiation, or following an environmental stimulus) or in a state vacillation that is not necessarily unidirectional and in which the cell may return to the origin state. Vacillating processes can be oscillatory (e.g., cell-cycle or circadian rhythm) or can transition between states with no predefined order (e.g., due to stochastic, or environmentally controlled, molecular events). These time-dependent processes may occur transiently within a stable cell type (as in a transient environmental response), or may lead to a new, distinct type (as in differentiation). Wagner et al., 2016. Nat Biotechnol. 34(111): 1145-1160.

As used herein, “cellular phenotype” refers to the configuration of observable traits in a single cell or a population of cells.

As used herein, “concentrated” and “enriched” when used in connection with refers to one or more compound(s) or molecule(s) or population thereof, including but not limited to a polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragments thereof, a metabolite, VOC, or other compound, that is distinguishable from its naturally occurring counterpart in that the concentration or number of molecules/compounds per volume is greater than that of its naturally occurring counterpart or as it would exist in its native or natural state.

As used herein, the terms “disease” or “disorder” are used interchangeably throughout this specification, and refer to any alternation in state of the body or of some of the organs, interrupting or disturbing the performance of the functions and/or causing symptoms such as discomfort, dysfunction, distress, or even death to the person afflicted or those in contact with a person. A disease or disorder can also be related to a distemper, ailing, ailment, malady, disorder, sickness, illness, complaint, indisposition, or affliction.

As used herein, “expression” refers to the process by which polynucleotides are transcribed into RNA transcripts. In the context of mRNA and other translated RNA species, “expression” also refers to the process or processes by which the transcribed RNA is subsequently translated into peptides, polypeptides, or proteins. In some instances, “expression” can also be a reflection of the stability of a given RNA. For example, when one measures RNA, depending on the method of detection and/or quantification of the RNA as well as other techniques used in conjunction with RNA detection and/or quantification, it can be that increased/decreased RNA transcript levels are the result of increased/decreased transcription and/or increased/decreased stability and/or degradation of the RNA transcript. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate these techniques and the relation “expression” in these various contexts to the underlying biological mechanisms.

As used herein, “infection” as used herein refers to presence of an infective agent, such as a pathogen, e.g., a microorganism or a parasite in or on a subject, which, if its presence or growth were inhibited, would result in a benefit to the subject. Hence, the term refers to the state produced by the establishment, more particularly invasion and multiplication, of an infective agent, such as a pathogen, e.g., a microorganism, in or on a suitable host. An infection may produce tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular and toxic mechanisms.

The term “lipophilic”, as used herein, refers to compounds having an affinity for lipids.

As used herein, “marker” is a term of art and commonly broadly denotes a biological molecule or compound, more particularly an endogenous or endogenously produced biological molecule compound, and/or a detectable portion thereof, whose qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation in a tested object (e.g., in or on a cell, cell population, tissue, organ, or organism, e.g., in a biological sample of a subject) is predictive or informative with respect to one or more aspects of the tested object's phenotype, genotype, condition, state, and/or status (e.g. a health, nutritional, physiologic, psychologic, disease state, status, and/or phenotype, The terms “marker” and “biomarker” are be used interchangeably throughout this specification. A marker can be a single molecule and/or compound or can be composed of two or more molecules and/or compounds and thus can also be portrayed herein as a signature.

The term “molecular weight”, as used herein, generally refers to the mass or average mass of a material. If a polymer or oligomer, the molecular weight can refer to the relative average chain length or relative chain mass of the bulk polymer. In practice, the molecular weight of polymers and oligomers can be estimated or characterized in various ways including gel permeation chromatography (GPC) or capillary viscometry. GPC molecular weights are reported as the weight-average molecular weight (M_(w)) as opposed to the number-average molecular weight (M_(n)). Capillary viscometry provides estimates of molecular weight as the inherent viscosity determined from a dilute polymer solution using a particular set of concentration, temperature, and solvent conditions.

As used herein, “negative control” can refer to a “control” that is designed to produce no effect or result, provided that all reagents are functioning properly and that the experiment is properly conducted. Other terms that are interchangeable with “negative control” include “sham,” “placebo,” and “mock.”

As used herein, “non-human mammal” or “non-human animal” refers to any mammal (or animal) that is not a human.

As used herein, “organism” refers to any animal, plant, or single-celled life form. An organism can be a subject.

As used herein, “pathogen antigen” refers to an antigen of a biological entity that is pathogenic to a subject, hence, capable of causing a pathological condition or disease in the subject. Pathogens encompass pathogenic microorganisms, such as any pathogenic type of bacterium (including archaebacteria and eubacteria), protozoan, fungus (including molds and yeasts), viroid and virus; as well as single-cell and multicellular parasites, e.g., helminths (e.g., cestodes, nematodes and trematodes). The term also encompasses biological entities, which display pathogenicity in immunocompromised hosts, but may not ordinarily be pathogenic in a non-immunocompromised host.

As used herein, “pharmaceutical formulation” refers to the combination of an active agent, compound, or ingredient with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, making the composition suitable for diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive use in vitro, in vivo, or ex vivo.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient” refers to a carrier or excipient that is useful in preparing a pharmaceutical formulation that is generally safe, non-toxic, and is neither biologically or otherwise undesirable, and includes a carrier or excipient that is acceptable for veterinary use as well as human pharmaceutical use. A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient” as used in the specification and claims includes both one and more than one such carrier or excipient.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to any acid or base addition salt whose counter-ions are non-toxic to the subject to which they are administered in pharmaceutical doses of the salts.

As used herein, a “population” of cells is any number of cells greater than 1, but is preferably at least 1×10³ cells, at least 1×10⁴ cells, at least at least 1×10⁵ cells, at least 1×10⁶ cells, at least 1×10⁷ cells, at least 1×10⁸ cells, at least 1×10⁹ cells, or at least 1×10¹⁹ cells.

As used herein, “positive control” refers to a “control” that is designed to produce the desired result, provided that all reagents are functioning properly and that the experiment is properly conducted.

As used herein, “preventive” and “prevent” refers to hindering or stopping a disease or condition before it occurs, even if undiagnosed, or while the disease or condition is still in the sub-clinical phase.

As referred to herein, a “subpopulation” of cells preferably refers to a particular subset of cells of a particular cell type which can be distinguished or are uniquely identifiable and set apart from other cells of this cell type. The cell subpopulation may be phenotypically characterized, and is preferably characterized by the signature as discussed herein. A cell (sub)population as referred to herein may constitute of a (sub)population of cells of a particular cell type and/or specific cell state.

The terms “subject,” “individual,” and “patient” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a vertebrate, preferably a mammal, more preferably a canine or human. Mammals include, but are not limited to, murines, simians, humans, canines, farm animals, sport animals, and/or pets. “Subject” includes animals of the genus Canis, Felis, Lynx, Mustela, Procyon, or Vulpes Tissues, cells and their progeny of a biological entity obtained in vivo or cultured in vitro are also encompassed within the term “subject”.

As used herein, the term “signature” can encompass any gene or genes, protein or proteins, epigenetic element(s), metabolite(s), compound(s), and/or other cell products (e.g., exosomes, vesicles, phages, viruses, virus like particles, etc.) produced, excreted, secreted, or otherwise released by a subject, whose expression, production, secretion, excretion, and/or release profile or whose occurrence is associated with a specific cell type, subtype, or cell state of a specific cell type or subtype within a population of cells, and/or health, disease, infection, biological, nutritional, physiological, psychological, or any combination thereof, state and/or status of a subject. Levels and/or amounts of expression, production, excretion, secretion, release, and/or activity and/or prevalence of any of the gene(s), protein(s), metabolite(s), compound(s), and/or other cell product(s) can be compared between different cells or cell populations, subject states and/or status, or any combination thereof in order to characterize or identify, for instance, signatures specific for cell (sub)populations, (sub)types, (sub)states and/or subject (sub)states, (sub)status, and/or subject population stratification based thereon. Increased or decreased expression, production, excretion, secretion, release, and/or activity and/or prevalence of signature gene(s), protein(s), epigenetic element(s), metabolite(s), compound(s) and/or other cell product(s) can be compared between different cells, cell populations, and/or subjects in order to characterize or identify, for instance, specific cell (sub)populations, (sub)types, (sub)states and/or subject (sub)states, (sub)status, and/or subject population stratification. The detection of a signature in or of single cells can be used to identify qualitatively and/or quantitate, for instance, specific cell (sub)populations, (sub)types, and/or (sub)states. A signature can include a gene or genes, protein or proteins, epigenetic element(s), metabolite(s), compounds, and/or other cell products whose expression or occurrence is specific to a cell (sub)population, (sub)type, (sub)state, and/or health, disease, infection, biological, nutritional, physiological, psychological, or any combination thereof, state and/or status of a subject, such that expression or occurrence is exclusive to the cell (sub)population. The amount, level, expression, activity, or any combination of any one or more elements (e.g., gene, protein, compound, metabolite, etc.) signature can be increased or decreased in one state, type, status, patient population, etc. as compared to another state, type, status, patient population, control, and/or threshold value and thus can uniquely identify one state, type status, patient population from one or more other state, type, status, and/or patient population.

A metabolite signature or a compound signature (such as a volatile organic compound signature) as the terms are used herein thus refer to a signature that is composed completely of or in at least part by one or more metabolites or compounds (such as one or more VOCs, for example). The amount, level, expression, activity, or any combination of any one or more metabolites or compounds in a metabolite or compound signature can be increased or decreased in one state, type, status, patient population, etc. as compared to another state, type, status, patient population, control, and/or threshold value and thus can uniquely identify one state, type status, patient population from one or more other state, type, status, and/or patient population. A metabolite signature or compound signature is thus a signature composed of one or more metabolite(s)s or other compound(s) and can thus refer to any set of increased and decreased (e.g., in level, amount, activity, particular state, etc.) metabolite(s) or other compound(s) produced, released, excreted, and/or secreted by one or more cells, tissues, organs, or any combination thereof of a subject that are uniquely representative of a cell (sub)population, (sub)type, (sub)state, and/or health, disease, infection, biological, nutritional, physiological, psychological, or any combination thereof, state and/or status of a subject. Such a signature can be derived from a sampled profile of the amount, level, and/or activity level of metabolites or other compound(s) in a sample, such as a biologic sample, from the subject. A signature can be composed of any number of features (e.g., genes, proteins, epigenetic elements, metabolite(s), compound(s), and/or other cell products (e.g., exosomes, vesicles, phages, viruses, virus like particles, etc.) expressed, produced, excreted, secreted, and/or otherwise released by a subject (e.g., 1-100, 1,000, 10,000 or more). For example, a signature can include a list of features differentially expressed, produced, excreted, secreted, and/or otherwise released in a particular state or status (e.g., health or disease) of interest. The signature can be composed completely of or contain at least in part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 or more features. In some embodiments, the signature can be composed completely of or contain at least in part 1-2 or more, 1-3 or more, 1-4 or more, 1-5 or more, 1-6 or more, 1-7 or more, 1-8 or more, 1-9 or more, 1-10 or more, 2-3 or more, 2-4 or more, 2-5 or more, 2-6 or more, 2-7 or more, 2-8 or more, 2-9 or more, 2-10 or more, 3-4 or more, 3-5 or more, 3-6 or more, 3-7 or more, 3-8 or more, 3-9 or more, 3-10 or more, 4-5 or more, 4-6 or more, 4-7 or more, 4-8 or more, 4-9 or more, 4-10 or more, 5-6 or more, 5-7 or more, 5-8 or more, 5-9 or more, 5-10 or more, 6-7 or more, 6-8 or more, 6-9 or more, 6-10 or more, 7-8 or more, 7-9 or more, 7-10 or more, 8-9 or more, 8-10 or more, 9-10 or more, 1-20 or more, 2-20 or more, 3-20 or more, 4-20 or more, 5-20 or more, 6-20 or more, 7-20 or more, 8-20 or more, 9-20 or more, 10-20 or more, 11-20 or more, 12-20 or more, 13-20 or more, 14-20 or more, 15-20 or more, 16-20 or more, 17-20 or more, 18-20 or more, 19-20 or more, or 20 or more features (e.g. metabolites or compounds, such as VOCs).

As used herein, “substantial” and “substantially,” specify an amount of between 95% and 100%, inclusive, between 96% and 100%, inclusive, between 97% and 100%, inclusive, between 98% 100%, inclusive, or between 99% 100%, inclusive.

As used herein, “substantially free” can mean an object species is present at non-detectable or trace levels so as not to interfere with the properties of a composition or process.

As used herein, “substantially pure” can mean an object species is the predominant species present (i.e., on a molar basis it is more abundant than any other individual species in the composition), and preferably a substantially purified fraction is a composition wherein the object species comprises about 50 percent of all species present. Generally, a substantially pure composition will comprise more than about 80 percent of all species present in the composition, more preferably more than about 85%, 90%, 95%, and 99%. Most preferably, the object species is purified to essential homogeneity (contaminant species cannot be detected in the composition by conventional detection methods) wherein the composition consists essentially of a single species.

As used interchangeably herein, the terms “sufficient” and “effective,” can refer to an amount (e.g., mass, volume, dosage, concentration, and/or time period) needed to achieve one or more desired result(s). For example, a therapeutically effective amount refers to an amount needed to achieve one or more therapeutic effects.

A “suitable control” is a control that will be instantly appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art as one that is included such that it can be determined if the variable being evaluated an effect, such as a desired effect or hypothesized effect. One of ordinary skill in the art will also instantly appreciate based on inter alfa, the context, the variable(s), the desired or hypothesized effect, what is a suitable or an appropriate control needed.

As used herein, “tangible medium of expression” refers to a medium that is physically tangible or accessible and is not a mere abstract thought or an unrecorded spoken word. “Tangible medium of expression” includes, but is not limited to, words on a cellulosic or plastic material, or data stored in a suitable computer readable memory form. The data can be stored on a unit device, such as a flash memory or CD-ROM or on a server that can be accessed by a user via, e.g., a web interface.

As used herein, “therapeutic” can refer to treating, healing, and/or ameliorating a disease, disorder, condition, or side effect, or to decreasing in the rate of advancement of a disease, disorder, condition, or side effect. A “therapeutically effective amount” can therefore refer to an amount of a compound that can yield a therapeutic effect.

As used herein, a “threshold value” refers to a defined value in suitable unit of measure that can be empirically determined and/or verified, statistically determined and/or verified, clinically determined and/or verified, and is a value that is used to discriminate statistics, experimental values, test values, candidate values, subject value, sample values, and the like that are above or below the threshold value. A threshold value, can in some embodiments, be a limit value, such that all values or statistics that are above, in the case of an upper threshold limit value, are rejected and/or are indicative of a condition, state, type, and/or all values or statistics that are below, in the case of the lower threshold limit value, are rejected and/or are indicative of a condition, state, type. An upper and lower threshold limit together can form a threshold range where value that lie within the upper and the lower threshold limits are accepted. It will be appreciated that, depending on context (e.g., assay, compound within an assay or signature, etc. subject age, etc.) (which will be appreciated by the description herein and by one of ordinary skill in the art), values corresponding to e.g., a diseased (e.g., a Dirofilarial infection) condition or state can fall above or below a threshold value. In a signature, such as the Dirofilarial infection signature described herein, different compounds can each have their own threshold values, some of which may be above and some of which may be below their respective values within the signature that is indicative of Dirofilarial infection and non-infection and/or can discriminate between Dirofilaria infected subjects and non-infected subjects. A threshold value in some embodiments is quantitative. In some embodiments, a threshold value is qualitative.

As used herein, the terms “treating” and “treatment” can refer generally to obtaining a desired pharmacological and/or physiological effect. The effect can be, but does not necessarily have to be, prophylactic in terms of preventing or partially preventing a disease, symptom or condition thereof, such as infection with a dirofilarial organism (e.g., Dirofilaria spp., Dirofilaria sp.) (of any stage) (including, but not limited to, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis) or have the condition known as dirofilariasis. The effect can be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure of a disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect attributed to the disease, disorder, or condition. The term “treatment” as used herein covers any treatment of dirofilarial infection or dirofilariasis , in a subject, particularly a human and/or canine (domesticated or not) and can include any one or more of the following: (a) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting its development; and (c) relieving the disease, i.e., mitigating or ameliorating the disease and/or its symptoms or conditions. The term “treatment” as used herein can refer to both therapeutic treatment alone, prophylactic treatment alone, or both therapeutic and prophylactic treatment. Those in need of treatment (subjects in need thereof) can include those already with the disorder and/or those in which the disorder is to be prevented. As used herein, the term “treating”, can include inhibiting the disease, disorder or condition, e.g., impeding its progress; and relieving the disease, disorder, or condition, e.g., causing regression of the disease, disorder and/or condition. Treating the disease, disorder, or condition can include ameliorating at least one symptom of the particular disease, disorder, or condition, even if the underlying pathophysiology is not affected, such as treating the pain of a subject by administration of an analgesic agent even though such agent does not treat the cause of the pain.

As used herein, “volatile organic compound (VOC)” refers to any compound that includes carbon that readily produce vapors at ambient temperatures, and have strong tendency to vaporize from solids and liquids into gasses. In the context of the present embodiments, VOC refers to those VOCs that are produced by a cell of a subject or an organism or microorganism living within a subject (e.g., a bacterium, parasite (e.g., a worm), yeast, and the like). Such VOCs are generally small (e.g., containing 15 or less carbon atoms) and have a low molecular mass (e.g., less than about 300 Da), a high vapor pressure, and low boiling point, and optionally a lipophilic moiety. Non-limiting, exemplary VOCs include alkenes, alcohols, ketones, benzenoids, pyrazines, sulfides, and terpenes. In some embodiments, VOCs can be metabolites.

As used herein, the terms “weight percent,” “wt. %,” and “wt. %,” which can be used interchangeably, indicate the percent by weight of a given component based on the total weight of a composition of which it is a component, unless otherwise specified. That is, unless otherwise specified, all wt. % values are based on the total weight of the composition. It should be understood that the sum of wt. % values for all components in a disclosed composition or formulation are equal to 100. Alternatively, if the wt. % value is based on the total weight of a subset of components in a composition, it should be understood that the sum of wt. % values the specified components in the disclosed composition or formulation are equal to 100.

Various embodiments are described hereinafter. It should be noted that the specific embodiments are not intended as an exhaustive description or as a limitation to the broader aspects discussed herein. One aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced with any other embodiment(s). Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “an example embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention. For example, in the appended claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

All publications, published patent documents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as though each individual publication, published patent document, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference.

Overview

Heartworm infection and the resulting disease caused by adult stage worms in dogs is a significant and serious, yet preventable, disease primarily affecting dogs. However, other hosts can be affected as well such as cats, ferrets, and other organisms including other mammals, such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, sea lions and—in rare instances—humans. In humans, Dirofilaria infection can be divided into pulmonary (adult worms primarily affect the lungs and hearts—similar to heartworm infection in dogs and caused by D. immitis) and subcutaneous (adult worms primarily affect the subcutaneous tissues — caused by Dirofilaria species of the subgenus Nochtiella). Heartworm disease is caused by adult D. immitis that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels, which can reach up to a foot long or more in length. This can result in severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs in the affected organism.

Dogs are a natural host for D. immitis. As such, heartworms that live inside of dogs mature into adults, mate, and produce offspring. If left untreated, their numbers increase and ultimately (no matter the number) can cause permanent damage to the heart, lungs, and associated arteries and negatively impact the dog's health and quality of life long after the parasites are gone. Prevention is the best way to control heartworm disease and identification and treatment of positive dogs complements this approach. As such, effective, and desirably, early identification of infected dogs, particularly those harboring adult stage worms, is an important piece of the strategy to treat and prevent heartworm disease in dogs. For other animals such as cats and ferrets, where there is no approved treatment, prevention is imperative. However, even in these animals testing and particularly early identification, of infection can allow for supportive care to be employed and potentially saving the animal's life.

Like most parasites, heartworms complete their life cycle in multiple hosts/vectors. The mosquito (from several genera, including Aedes, Culex, Anopheles, Psorophora, Ochlerotatus, and Mansonia) is a required vector in the heartworm life cycle. Adult female heartworms living in an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf produce microscopic baby worms called microfilariae that circulate in the blood stream. The first heartworm detection methods were blood smears that would allow for identification of any circulating microfilariae. Because of the high rate of false negatives using this method and/or as preventives are generally effective against this stage of the heartworms this method of heartworm detection is typically only used as a secondary validation to the circulating antigen tests previously discussed where such tests are available. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal, the mosquito picks up circulating microfilariae, which then develop and mature into “infective stage” larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days within the mosquito. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another dog, cat, or other susceptible organism, the infective larvae are deposited onto the surface of the organism's skin and enter the new host through the mosquito's bite wound. Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6-7 months for the larvae to develop into sexually mature adult heart worms. Once mature, heartworms can live for five to seven years in dogs and up to two to three years in cats. Because of the longevity of these worms, each mosquito season can lead to an increasing number of worms in an infected pet. Indeed, there have been some non-treated dogs where the adult worm burden was observed to be in the hundreds. Severity of clinical signs is typically, but not always, positively correlated with the worm load. However, if there are other medical conditions (heart defects, cancers, other co-morbidities, advanced age, etc.) a low worm burden may lead to severe clinical signs.

Routine testing is part of a good heartworm prevention and treatment strategy, particularly for dogs. Since it takes 6-7 months for the larvae to reach maturity, vets will typically start testing dogs at 6-7 months of age then at yearly intervals after that, depending on e.g., prevention compliance, location, etc. Current clinical tests are based on detection of female heartworm antigen circulating in blood, and is sometimes validated with a microscopic blood analysis to visualize circulating microfilariae. As previously discussed, these tests are not without limitations including, but not limited to, the requirement for a blood sample, which can be challenging for subjects that are not compliant for a blood draw and for personnel that are not skilled in obtaining blood samples from animals.

With the limitations of current heartworm tests in mind, embodiments disclosed herein describe Dirofilaria exhalant signatures and methods of using said signatures to non-invasively discriminate Dirofilaria infected, animals from non-infected animals. The Dirofilaria exhalant signatures include one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signatures discriminate between animals infected with adult stage D. immitis and non-infected subjects. Also provided herein are devices for animal, such as a dog, exhalant sample collection for Dirofilaria exhalant signature analysis as described herein. Other compositions, compounds, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings, detailed description, and examples. It is intended that all such additional compositions, compounds, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, and be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Dirofilaria Exhalent Signature

Described in the example embodiments herein are Dirofilaria exhalant signatures that include one or more volatile organic compound (VOC) and can, in some embodiments, be used to separate and/or identify Dirofilaria infected subjects and non-infected (or no antigen detected) subjects. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature and is composed of one or more VOCs in the exhalant of a subject. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is a D. immitis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria repens exhalant signature, Dirofilaria tenuis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or a D. hongkongensis exhalant signature. In some embodiments, the presence or absence of and/or a change (e.g., either increase or decrease) in the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature indicates Dirofilarial infection or non-infection in the subject from which the exhalant was obtained. In some embodiments, the presence or absence of and/or a change (e.g., either increase or decrease) in the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the D. immitis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria repens exhalant signature, Dirofilaria tenuis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or a D. hongkongensis exhalant signature indicates D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection or non-infection in the subject from which the exhalant was obtained.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is or includes one or more one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selected from the group of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, or 15.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is or includes one or more one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selected from the group of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, or more.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of nine VOCs, wherein the nine VOCs are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, two alkane hydrocarbons, a phenol, and a ketone. In some embodiments, the aromatic hydrocarbon is ortho xylene. In some embodiments, the monoterpene is p-Menthane-1,2,3-triol. In some embodiments, the alkyl alcohol is 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol. In some embodiments, the cyclopentanone is 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone. In some embodiments, the aziridine is 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6,-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine. In some embodiments, the alkane hydrocarbon is 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl-Tetradecane, or both, In some embodiments, the phenol is 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one. In some embodiments, the ketone is 5,5-Dibutylnonane. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed entirely of ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6, 6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-One, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of at least ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7, 8,8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl-tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5, 5-Dibutylnonane.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of four or more VOCs selected from a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments the signature is composed of a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of at least a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the monoterpene is p-Methane-1,2,3-triol. In some embodiments, the cyclopentanone is 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone. In some embodiments, the aziridine is 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine. In some embodiments, the alkane hydrocarbon is 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of at least p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7, 8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of one or more VOCs selected from: p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, and trans-Biphenylene.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of one or more VOCs selected from: ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a, 8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; and 7-propyl-Tridecane. In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is composed of ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane; 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a, 8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; and 7-propyl-Tridecane.

In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of one or more VOCs selected from: ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5, 6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.

In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; and 7-propyl-Tridecane.

In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria repens exhalant signature, Dirofilaria tenuis exhalant signature, Dirofilaria ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria signature is a D. immitis signature and is composed of ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6, 6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5] octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.

In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of four or more VOCs selected from a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments the signature is composed of a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of at least a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, and an alkane hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the monoterpene is p-Methane-1,2,3-triol. In some embodiments, the cyclopentanone is 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone. In some embodiments, the aziridine is 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine. In some embodiments, the alkane hydrocarbon is 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene. In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is composed of at least p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene. In some embodiments, the D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature is p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene.

In some embodiments, the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) includes one or more VOCs identified and shown in Table 9. In some embodiments, one or more VOCs identified and shown in Table 9 are increased and/or decreased in the exhalant of a subject infected with Dirofilaria sp. or spp. (e.g., D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis).

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2, 5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoi somer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1 <2, 5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoi somer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2, 5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoi somer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3 en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; 7-propyl-Tridecane, and any combination thereof

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trim ethyl Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis,, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-One, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-One, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-One, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-One, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, and any combination thereof

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are present in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are absent in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are decreased and/or are present below a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject with a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject not having a Dirofilaria infection, non-infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof

In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature (e.g., D. immitis exhalant signature, D. repens exhalant signature, D. tenuis exhalant signature, D. ursi exhalant signature, D. subdermata exhalant signature, D. striata exhalant signature, or the D. hongkongensis exhalant signature) that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection (e.g., a D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis infection) as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control, are a monoterpene, a cyclopentene, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the VOC(s) in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature that is/are increased and/or are present above a threshold value in the exhalant of a subject without a Dirofilaria infection as compared to exhalant of a subject having a Dirofilaria infection, infected control, or other suitable control is/are p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, or any combination thereof.

Methods and techniques of detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant and using it to diagnose prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in a subject are described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

Methods of Detecting Dirofilaria Infection

Described herein are methods of identifying subjects infected with one or more life stages of a species of Dirofilaria, such as D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or D. hongkongensis. In some embodiments, the subject is a host or a vector of one or more Dirofilaria species. The subject can be a host of D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, and/or D. hongkongensis. In some embodiments, the host is a human or non-human animal. In some embodiments, the non-human animal is an animal in the genus Canis, Felis, Lynx, Mustela, Procyon, or Vulpes. In some embodiments, the subject is a domestic dog, wolf, fox, bobcat, domestic cat, ferret, raccoon, jackal, coyote, or a domestic cat. In some embodiments, the adult stage of the Dirofilaria is detected.

Generally, the methods of identifying subjects infected with one or more life stages of a species of Dirofilaria includes detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample from a subject, whereby the Dirofilaria exhalant signature detected indicates Dirofilaria infection and/or stage thereof. Dirofilaria exhalant signatures are described in greater detail elsewhere herein. Generally, exhalant samples can be obtained non-invasively from a subject and VOCs in the sample can be analyzed for the presence of a Dirofilaria exhalant signature of an infected or non-infected individual. The VOCs in an exhalant sample collected from a subject can be analyzed by any suitable method for VOC analysis. Sample analysis can occur at point of collection (e.g., at a vet, animal shelter, zoo, or doctor's office) or can be conducted at a location different than the point of collection (e.g., USDA, CDC, state, or other government testing laboratory, commercial testing laboratory, etc.). In some embodiments, the method qualitatively identifies the presence (or absence) of a Dirofilaria signature specific to infected individuals. In some embodiments, the method qualitatively identifies the presence (or absence) of a Dirofilaria signature specific to non-infected individuals. In some embodiments, the method quantitatively identifies the amount of one or more of the VOCs present in the signature. In some embodiments, quantitative analysis can allow for determination of the load of adult Dirofilaria present in the organism.

The methods described herein can diagnose, prognose, stage, and/or infection with a Dirofilaria. Also described herein are methods of treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection in a subject that include a method diagnosing, prognosing, and/or staging Dirofilaria infection based at least in part on a Dirofilaria exhalant signature and treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection, particularly the adult stage, in the subject.

The volume of exhalant collected can range from 0.001 mL to 1000 mL. In some embodiments, the volume of exhalant collected is about 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290, 295, 300, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 345, 350, 355, 360, 365, 370, 375, 380, 385, 390, 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, 480, 485, 490, 495, 500, 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550, 555, 560, 565, 570, 575, 580, 585, 590, 595, 600, 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 635, 640, 645, 650, 655, 660, 665, 670, 675, 680, 685, 690, 695, 700, 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730, 735, 740, 745, 750, 755, 760, 765, 770, 775, 780, 785, 790, 795, 800, 805, 810, 815, 820, 825, 830, 835, 840, 845, 850, 855, 860, 865, 870, 875, 880, 885, 890, 895, 900, 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, 980, 985, 990, 995, or about 1000 mL.

In some embodiments, the volume of exhalant collected ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.01 mL, from about 0.01 to about 0.1 mL, from about 0.1 to about 1 mL, from about 1 to about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290, 295, 300, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 345, 350, 355, 360, 365, 370, 375, 380, 385, 390, 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, 480, 485, 490, 495, 500, 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550, 555, 560, 565, 570, 575, 580, 585, 590, 595, 600, 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 635, 640, 645, 650, 655, 660, 665, 670, 675, 680, 685, 690, 695, 700, 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730, 735, 740, 745, 750, 755, 760, 765, 770, 775, 780, 785, 790, 795, 800, 805, 810, 815, 820, 825, 830, 835, 840, 845, 850, 855, 860, 865, 870, 875, 880, 885, 890, 895, 900, 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, 980, 985, 990, 995, or about 1000 mL.

The volume of exhalant collected can be 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, or 4 times the average tidal volume for the subject. It will be appreciated that average tidal volume will vary with subject species, age, size, disease state, etc. Devices capable of sample collection (e.g., exhalant from an animal) are described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

Described in some embodiments herein are non-invasive method of diagnosing, prognosing, staging, and/or monitoring Dirofilaria infection in a subject that include the step of detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is as previously described whereby the presence absence of a Dirofilaria exhalant signature is indicative of presence (or absence as the case may be) of infection by one or more stages of a species of Dirofilaria (such as D. immitis, D. repens, D. tenuis, D. ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or D. hongkongensis).

In some embodiments, the method includes detection of a decrease, increase, or both of one or more of the VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both, which indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject. In some embodiments, the amount of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof present in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is a relative amount. In some embodiments, the amount of the ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5, 6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane, 1,3-dimethyl-B enzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7, 8,8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; and/or 7-propyl-Tridecane in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is a relative amount. The relative amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature can be determined relative to a suitable control, threshold value(s), and/or total amount of VOCs present in the sample relative to one or more other VOCs in the sample and/or within the Dirofilaria exhalant signature.

In some embodiments, the amount of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, or any combination thereof present in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is an absolute amount. In some embodiments, the amount of the ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a, 8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, 5,5-Dibutylnonane; 1,3-dimethyl-Benzene, 2H-Pyran-2-carboxylic acid, 6-butoxy-3,6-dihydro-, ethyl ester; 2-butyl-1,1,3-trimethyl-Cylcohexane, Tricyclo[4.3.1.1<2,5>]undec-3en-10-ol, 10-methyl-, stereoisomer; 5,6,7,8,9,10-Hexahydrobenzocyclooctene; 1,2,3,6,7,8, 8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene; 2-methyl-Tridecane; and/or 7-propyl-Tridecane in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is an absolute amount.

In some embodiments, the amount (whether a relative amount or an absolute amount) of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature in the sample is increased, as compared to a suitable control, threshold value, standard, or a combination thereof, in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates the subject from which the sample was obtained is infected with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is increased 1-5000 percent or more in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates the subject from which the sample was obtained is infected with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is increased 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 25, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, 1000, 1025, 1050, 1075, 1100, 1125, 1150, 1175, 1200, 1225, 1250, 1275, 1300, 1325, 1350, 1375, 1400, 1425, 1450, 1475, 1500, 1525, 1550, 1575, 1600, 1625, 1650, 1675, 1700, 1725, 1750, 1775, 1800, 1825, 1850, 1875, 1900, 1925, 1950, 1975, 2000, 2025, 2050, 2075, 2100, 2125, 2150, 2175, 2200, 2225, 2250, 2275, 2300, 2325, 2350, 2375, 2400, 2425, 2450, 2475, 2500, 2525, 2550, 2575, 2600, 2625, 2650, 2675, 2700, 2725, 2750, 2775, 2800, 2825, 2850, 2875, 2900, 2925, 2950, 2975, 3000, 3025, 3050, 3075, 3100, 3125, 3150, 3175, 3200, 3225, 3250, 3275, 3300, 3325, 3350, 3375, 3400, 3425, 3450, 3475, 3500, 3525, 3550, 3575, 3600, 3625, 3650, 3675, 3700, 3725, 3750, 3775, 3800, 3825, 3850, 3875, 3900, 3925, 3950, 3975, 4000, 4025, 4050, 4075, 4100, 4125, 4150, 4175, 4200, 4225, 4250, 4275, 4300, 4325, 4350, 4375, 4400, 4425, 4450, 4475, 4500, 4525, 4550, 4575, 4600, 4625, 4650, 4675, 4700, 4725, 4750, 4775, 4800, 4825, 4850, 4875, 4900, 4925, 4950, 4975, 5000 percent or more in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates infection with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, one or more VOCs present in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant from an infected subject is not present or is present at below detectable limits in the exhalant of a non-Dirofilaria infected subject, such that those VOC(s) can be said to be increased in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature of an infected individual.

In some embodiments, the amount (whether a relative amount or an absolute amount) of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature in the sample is decreased, as compared to a suitable control, threshold value, standard, or a combination thereof, in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates the subject from which the sample was obtained is infected with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature in the sample is decreased 1-100 percent (i.e., is absent or is not detectable) in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates the subject from which the sample was obtained is infected with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, the amount of one or more of the VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is decreased 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 percent, in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature that indicates that the sample was obtained one from a subject infected with one or more stages of Dirofilaria, such as the adult stage. In some embodiments, one or more VOCs that is/are present in a signature that is indicative of a non-infected subject is/are not present or is undetectable in a signature that is indicative of an infected subject.

Also described herein are methods of treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection in a subject that includes non-invasively diagnosing, prognosing and/or staging Dirofilaria infection in the subject by a method previously described herein and administering to the subject an anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, administering to the subject a treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, or both. Subjects that are determined to not be infected with an adult stage of Dirofilaria are not necessarily treated with a treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria. It will be appreciated that some preventives can also be effective to kill the adult Dirofilaria. For example, moxidectin and ivermectin, have been observed to not only prevent the development of adult D. immitis in a host, such as a canine, but also kill adult D. immitis with continued exposure for at least 5-12 or more months.

In some embodiments, the anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises: ivermectin, moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, selamectin, eprinomectin, or a combination thereof. The prevention can be administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366 or more times per year.

In some embodiments, the method further includes co-administering a composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal or other internal parasite, fleas, ticks, and other external parasite, or any combination thereof. External parasites include, but are not limited to, fleas, ticks, mites and worms (e.g., roundworm larvae). In some embodiments, the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal or other internal parasite, fleas, ticks, or other external parasite, or any combination thereof is one or more compounds of one or more of the following classes: benzimidazole, depolarizing tetrahydropyrimidines, a macrocyclic lactone, neonicotinoid, phenylpyrazole, piperazine, oxadiazine, pyrethrin, pyrethroid, isoxazoline, and an insect growth regulator. In some embodiments, the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, fleas, ticks, or other external parasite, or any combination thereof is selected from pyrantel, pyrantel pamoate, febantel, praziquantel, oxibendazole, piperazine, spinosad, fluralaner, afoxolaner, fipronil, sarolaner, lotilaner, lufenuron, imidacloprid, Methoprene, S-methoprene, pyriproxyfen, fenbendazole, flumethrin, selamectin, eprinomectin, indoxacarb, permethrin, nitenpyram, and combinations thereof. The term “co-administration”, as used herein, refers to the administration of two or more active ingredients that can be delivered together or apart (e.g., spatially, temporally, or both). Co-administration includes administration of two or more different active ingredients within the same composition, simultaneous administration of two or more different compositions and/or active ingredients, at the same time but not within the same formulation or composition. Co-administration includes administration where one composition is an extended release formulation and one is not. Co-administration includes administration at different times but such that the effect of the active ingredient(s) overlap in time. For example, a monthly heartworm prevention formulation can be administered monthly on top of a flea prevention that is effective for 3 months (e.g., administration of a monthly ivermectin heartworm prevention (e.g., Heartgard prevention) and three-month Bravecto flea prevention). The prevention can be administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or more times per year.

In some embodiments, the treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, or both is a treatment effective to kill adult D. immitis in canines. The treatment effective to kill adult D. immitis in canines can be melarsomine, which can be delivered in a series of injections. Treatment can also include one or more courses of doxycycline at suitable amounts (see e.g., Carreton et al. 2020. Vet Parasitol. 283:109141). Doxycycline is used to kill Wolbachia bacteria that inhabit the adult and other stages of D. immitis. By killing the Wolbachia bacteria, the adult worms are more susceptible to treatment with melarsomine. In some embodiments, D. immitis treatment in dogs includes a 14-30 day course of doxycycline followed by a single injection of melarsomine or two injections of melarsomine given 24 hours apart. In treatments where only a single injection of melarsomine is administered after completion of a course of doxycycline, two injections of melarsomine given 24 hours apart are given about 30 days after the first single melarsomine injection. This is what is referred to in the art the AHS approved method of treating adult D. immitis infection in dogs.

It will be appreciated that in some cases, the dogs are too ill or it is otherwise impractical to complete the AHS approved method of treating adult D. immitis infection in dogs. Other approaches based on long term and/or more frequent use of macrocyclic lactones (more frequent than on-label use for heartworm prevention) have been used to more slowly kill the heartworms (see e.g., Venco et al., 2004. Vet Parasitol. 124:259-268; Kramer et al., 2018. Vet Parasitol. 30:254:95-97; Genchi et al., 2019. Vet Parasitol. 273:11-16; Bendas et al., 2017. Parasit Vectors. 10(1):246; Ames et al. 2020. Vet Parasitol: 282:109099; Alberigi et al., 2020. Front Vet Sci. 6:440; Savadelis et al., 2020. J Vet Intern Med. 34(5):1734-1745; Paterson et al. 2020. Vet Parasitol. 284:109194; Savadelis et al. 2018; Parasit Vectors. 11(1):98). Because the adult D. immitis are killed off at a slower rate, this method can be better tolerated in certain patient populations (e.g., those with co-morbidities) than the melarsomine treatment protocol which results in rapid die off of adult worms. This method is also less expensive than treatment with melarsomine, which can make treatment more widely available and more practical for shelters and rescue organizations. Such approaches are generally referred to as the “slow-kill” treatment for heartworm disease in dogs. It has been demonstrated that some macrocyclic lactones such as ivermectin or moxidectin when administered at levels used to prevent adult stage D. immitis concurrently for at least 5-12 months or more along with one or more 30 day courses of doxycycline during macrocyclic lactone (e.g., ivermectin or moxidectin) administration can be effective to kill adult D. immitis in dogs (see e.g., Venco et al., 2004. Vet Parasitol. 124:259-268; Kramer et al., 2018. Vet Parasitol. 30:254:95-97; Genchi et al., 2019. Vet Parasitol. 273:11-16; Bendas et al., 2017. Parasit Vectors. 10(1):246; Ames et al. 2020. Vet Parasitol: 282:109099; Alberigi et al., 2020. Front Vet Sci. 6:440; Savadelis et al., 2020. J Vet Intern Med. 34(5):1734-1745; Paterson et al. 2020. Vet Parasitol. 284:109194; Savadelis et al. 2018; Parasit Vectors. 11(1):98). When moxidectin is used the slow-kill method is also referred to in the art as the “moxy-doxy” treatment. In some embodiments, the treatment effective to kill adult Dirofilaria can include a slow-kill method that can include administration of a macrocyclic lactone (such as ivermectin or moxidectin) and one or more 10, 14, or 30 day course of doxycycline during the time the macrocyclic lactone is being administered. In some embodiments, the macrocyclic lactone is administered for a period of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or more consecutive months or more. In some embodiments, the macrocyclic lactone is delivered as a bolus dose weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-yearly, or yearly. The macrocyclic lactone can be co-administered with one or more other compositions, such as those effective to treat or prevent fleas, ticks, and/or other parasites, such as intestinal parasites.

In some embodiments, the methods of diagnosing, prognosing, staging, treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection in a subject can include non-invasively and actively collecting an exhalant sample from the subject. In other words, the method can include exhalant sampling. As described in greater detail elsewhere herein, exhalant sampling can be performed using a device described herein.

In some embodiments, after exhalant collection VOCs present in the exhalant can be concentrated and/or enriched. VOC concentrated and/or enriched can occur within the collection device or outside of the device, but prior to VOC analysis. For example, in some embodiments, VOCs can be concentrated and/or enriched on a sorbent material prior to analysis. As is described in greater detail elsewhere herein, the sorbent material can be contained in the collection device (e.g., in the one or more removable collection chamber). In other embodiments, the sorbent material is not contained within the device, but the collected exhalant in the collection device or component thereof is passed through a sorbent material outside of the device prior to VOC analysis.

VOCs can be extracted from a collected sample and/or sorbent or other exhalant collection and/or VOC concentration material for analysis by a suitable extraction method or technique. Such techniques are generally known in the art and include desorption techniques (e.g., thermal desorption and chemical desorption) and extraction techniques (e.g., solvent extraction, solid-phase micro-extraction, and membrane extraction).

The VOCs present in the sample can be analyzed using any suitable analytic technique. In some embodiments, the VOCs are analyzed using a gas chromatography (GC) based technique. The GC can include various detectors for analysis including flame ionization, thermal conductivity, electron capture, nitrogen phosphorous, flame photometric, photo-ionization, Hall electrolyte conductivity, and mass detectors (such as mass spectrometers). In some embodiments, the VOCs present in the exhalant sample are analyzed using GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). In some embodiments, the VOCs present in the exhalant sample are analyzed using GC-TOF-MS (GC-time of flight -MS).

Other suitable methods for detection of VOCs in a sample are described elsewhere herein and are known in the art. For example, VOCs can be detected and analyzed using various separation techniques, spectroscopy techniques, various sensors and sensor arrays, and combinations thereof (see e.g., Hashoul and Haick. 2019. Eur Respir Rev. 28:190011; Paredi et al. 2000. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 162:1450-1454; Kischkel et al. 2010. Clin. Chim. Acta. 411:1637-1644; de Gennaro et al. 2010. Anal Bioanal Chem. 398:3043-3050; Baker et al. 2006. Eur Respir J. 27: 929-936; Alkhouri et al. 2014. Eur. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 26:82-87; Broza and Haick. 2013 Nanomedicien. 8:785-806; Rock et al. 2008. Chem Rev. 108:705-725; van de Kant et al. 2012. Respir Res 13: 117; Vishinkin and Haick. 2015. Small 11:6142-6164; Montuschi et al. 2013. Respiration. 85:72-84; Tang et al. 2010. Sensors. 10: 6463-6476; and Bikov et al. 2015. J Breath Res. 9: 34001). Such methods can be used to detect one or more of the VOCs in a Dirofilaria exhalant signature described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

Devices

Also described herein are devices that are capable of non-invasively collecting an exhalant sample from a subject, such as a human or non-human animal subject, for VOC analysis. Thus, the devices described herein are generally suitable for collecting and containing VOCs present in the sample exhalant collected by the device. Generally, the devices are capable of collecting (such as via grabbing or actively collecting) exhalant from an individual human or non-human animal. “Non-invasive” as used in this context herein refers to collecting exhalant from a human or non-human animal without any part of the device being placed within the body of the subject, including within the mouth or nose of the subject. The device can be capable of sampling exhalant at the single, individual subject level as opposed to sampling general air within an environment (such as a room, holding area, or cage) that the subject is in. The device can be configured to allow for point of use analysis or allow for easy removal of the collected sample from the device to be sent for processing and/or analysis at an off-site facility (such as an off-site testing laboratory).

In some embodiments, a device configured to collect an exhalant for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the exhalant of a single non-human animal subject include an exhalant collector configured to actively and non-invasively collect exhalant expelled from the non-human animal subject without being placed in an orifice of the subject; and one or more removable collection chambers, each removable collection chamber configured to hold an amount of exhalant collected and are suitable for containment of VOCs, where the one or more removable collection chambers are operatively coupled to the exhalant collector. In some embodiments, the number of collection chambers is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. The one or more collection chambers can be removed so as to be replaced after use (in the case of chambers that cannot be regenerated or are otherwise single-use). The one or more removable collection chambers can be configured such that after sample collection they can be removed and be sent off to an off-site lab for VOC analysis or be analyzed in-house (or at the point of collection).

In some embodiments, the exhalant collector includes or is coupled to one or more low pressure air pumps capable of moving exhalant expelled from the subject and external to the device into the exhalant collector and into the one or more removable collection chambers. The pump(s) can also be used to move air through any conduits coupling the exhalant collector and one or more removable collection chambers (such as tubes, chambers, reservoirs, filters, etc.). The device can also include one or more additional pumps coupled to one or more other parts of the device to assist with air flow throughout the device.

In some embodiments, the device can include one or more one-way air valves configured to control the flow of exhalant in one direction through the device from the external environment through the exhalant collector and into and optionally through the one or more removable collection chambers. In some embodiments, the device includes 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more one-way valves. In some embodiments, two or more of the one-way valves can be placed in series with each other. In some embodiments, the exhalant collector can include one or more of the one or more one-way valves. In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more removable collection chambers includes one or more of the one or more one-way valves. In some embodiments, one or more of the one-way valves can be placed with in conduits that can be included in the device and connect one or more of the one or more removable collection chambers. In some embodiments, one or more of the one-way valves can be placed with in conduits that can be included in the device and that connect the exhalant collector to one or more of the one or more removable collection chambers.

In some embodiments, the exhalant collector is a tube that is configured to be placed in effective proximity to a mouth, nose, nostrils, or a combination thereof of the subject during collection and draw exhalant into the exhalant collector. In use, an operator can hold or otherwise place the intake end of the tube (i.e., the end not operatively connected to the one or more removable collection chambers and/or other portion of the exhalant collector) in effective proximity to a nose and/or mouth of the subject. Effective proximity as used in this context herein is the distance and location in space where the end of the exhalant collector can be placed such that a sample of exhalant is collected into the device. In some embodiments, the distance is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more cm from the mouth and/or nose of the subject. During use the exhalant collector can be placed in effective proximity of a mouth and/or nose of a subject to collect exhalant for a period of time. In some embodiments, the period of collection time is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 seconds. In some embodiments, the period of collection time is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes. The tube can be configured to be cleaned and/or sanitized between uses. In some embodiments, the tube can be removable. In some embodiments, tube is disposable and configured for single use.

In some embodiments, the exhalant collector is configured as a mask that is configured to cover the mouth and nose of the subject. In some embodiments, the mask can include one or more fastening members that can secure the mask over the mouth and/or nose of the subject during collection. In some embodiments, the mask is shaped to match the anatomical features of the mouth and/or nose region of the subject so as to minimize the amount of environmental air that is sampled. In, some embodiments, the mask includes a gasket so as to form a seal between the mask and the subject to minimize the environmental air that is collected. The mask can be configured such that it can be cleaned and/or sanitized between uses. In some embodiments, the mask can be configured as a single-use disposable mask.

In some embodiments, the one or more of the component of the device is made of one or more materials configured to preserve VOCs for analysis. In some embodiments, such materials can be capable of capturing, retaining, and/or otherwise holding VOCs from collected exhalant. In some embodiments, such a material is inert to VOCs (in other words does not react with the VOCs) or is resistant to reacting with VOCs. In some embodiments, the material is a sorbent material capable of adsorbing one or more VOCs from the collected exhalant. Suitable materials include, Nalophan, Tedlar, inertised aluminum, Teflon, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the device includes one or more filters. In some embodiments, the exhalant collector, the one or more removable collection chambers, or both comprise one or more filters. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more filters is effective to remove environmental VOCs from exhalant collected. In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more filters can filter non-VOC components of the exhalant, such as carbon dioxide or other gasses, particulates, microbes or viruses, and other compounds that can interfere with VOC collection, processing, and/or downstream analysis.

In some embodiments, the exhalant collector is operatively coupled to the one or more removable collection chambers via one or more conduits. In some embodiments, the conduits are tubing (flexible or inflexible), other chambers, reservoirs, vessels, bladders, and the like. In some embodiments, the exhalant collector is directly coupled to at least one of the one or more removable collection chambers with no conduits in between. Conduits can also be between two collection chambers. Any of the conduits included in the device can include one or more filters and/or one or more one-way valves.

The one or more removable collection chambers can be configured such that they can contain VOCs. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for analysis. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers includes one or more materials capable of capturing, retaining, and/or otherwise holding VOCs from collected exhalant. In some embodiments, such a material is inert to VOCs (in other words does not react with the VOCs) or is resistant to reacting with VOCs. In some embodiments, the material is a sorbent material capable of adsorbing one or more VOCs from the collected exhalant. Suitable materials include, Nalophan, Tedlar, inertised aluminum, Teflon, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the removable collection chamber(s) include solid phase microextraction fiber. In some embodiments the solid phase microextraction fiber is composed of carboxen and polydimethylsiloxane.

In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is capable of capturing VOCs is capable of releasably capturing VOCs from a collected exhalant. In some embodiments, capture VOC release is via desorption. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is configured for single-use. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers can be regenerated and reused for subsequent collections. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or enriching VOCs collected from exhalant. The one or more removable collection chamber can be any suitable shape or size. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers are tubes, bags, reservoirs, cartridges, traps, chips, or a combination thereof.

As previously described, in use exhalant from a can be actively and non-invasively collected via the exhalant collector from the mouth and/or nose of the subject. In some embodiments one or more low-pressure air pumps move the exhalant into the device, through the exhalant collector, through optional conduit, and into the one or more collection chambers. In some embodiments, VOCs are collected in one or more collection chambers (such as on one or more materials in the one or more collection chambers). VOCs can then be removed from the collection chamber(s), optionally processed (such as enriched, concentrated), and analyzed by a suitable analytical technique (such as a GC or other chromatography or compound analysis method).

In some embodiments, the device includes one or more sensors and/or sensor arrays capable of detecting one or more VOCs, such as any of the VOCs of a Dirofilaria exhalant signature described in greater detail elsewhere herein. The one or more sensors and/or sensor arrays can be any suitable sensor including, but not limited to, those described in e.g., Hashoul and Haick. 2019. Eur Respir Rev. 28:190011; Spinelle et al. 2017. Sensors. 17 (7) 1520; Wang et al., 2020. Front. Chem. doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2020.00339; and Li et al. 2020. Front. Chem. doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2020.00321. In some embodiments, the one or more sensor(s) and/or sensor array(s) are nanomaterial based. In some embodiments, the one or more sensor(s) and/or sensor array(s) are or include one or more chemoresistors (e.g., a chemoresistor based on monolayer-capped nanoparticles, single-wall carbon nanotubes, conducting polymers, metal oxide films, quartz microbalance with a selective coating), colometric sensor, surface acoustic wave sensor, and any combination thereof In some embodiments, the one or more sensors and/or sensor arrays capable of detecting one or more VOCs is/are coupled to or are otherwise incorporated into the one or more removable collection chambers, exhalant collector, or both.

Kits

Also described herein are kits that can contain a device described herein and/or one or more components thereof, and/or one or more replacement parts. In some embodiments the kit contains, an exhalant collectors or components thereof, one or more removable collection chambers, VOC analysis reagents, VOC preservative reagents, VOC processing reagents, cleaning reagents, component regeneration agents, filters, replacement one-way valves, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kit only includes reagents and/or replacement components such as filters, valves, exhalant collector or components thereof, removable sample collection chambers, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, the kit includes a complete device, and optionally additional replacement components and/or reagents.

In some embodiments, the kit can include one or more removable collection chambers configured for use in an exhalant collection device described elsewhere herein and instructions fixed in a tangible medium of expression wherein the instructions provide directions, safety information, and/or other product information for using device, the one or more removable collection chambers, and/or other component included in the kit to collect volatile organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for analysis. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers wherein the one or more removable collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or enriching VOCs from collected exhalant. In some embodiments, the one or more removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of releasing VOCs that are captured by a material in the one or more removable collection chambers.

Further embodiments are illustrated in the following Examples which are given for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Now having described the embodiments of the present disclosure, in general, the following Examples describe some additional embodiments of the present disclosure. While embodiments of the present disclosure are described in connection with the following examples and the corresponding text and figures, there is no intent to limit embodiments of the present disclosure to this description. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to perform the methods and use the probes disclosed and claimed herein. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in ° C., and pressure is at or near atmospheric. Standard temperature and pressure are defined as 20° C. and 1 atmosphere.

Example 1—Canine Exhalant Sampling

This Example can at least demonstrate unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhalant from dogs infected with D. immitis. Exhalant was collected from twenty-four laboratory beagles (n=12 antigen positive for D. immitis, n=12 no antigen detected (NAD)). Exhalant was directly sampled from individual dogs and VOCs in the exhalant was analyzed using gas chromatography. Exhalant collection was performed using a very low pressure (about 1 L per minute) air pump coupled to a Teflon material coated collection bag that had about a 1 L capacity via Teflon material coated tubing that was unique to each individual dog (see e.g., FIG. 1 ) During sampling, the air pump was held up near the dog's nares to specifically sample the exhalant. Exhalant was sampled over a 1-3 minute period or until the collection bag was about seventy five percent full. A negative control sample was obtained as well using the same apparatus set up but obtaining a sample from the ambient environment (also referred to as “room air” herein). A positive control compound (siloxane rich deodorant) was captured in each bag to allow for confirmation that a known compound can be extracted via the downstream analytics. This methodology has advantages that it is simple and does not require extensive restraint beyond making sure it does not move from the collection area (e.g., an examination table, area, or lap it is present on/in).

Sample analysis was completed using gas chromatography-time of flight (GC-TOF). Following collection, within one week, the sample was extracted from the bag using a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber made of caboxen polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) immersed in the bag septum for 15 minutes which adsorbs VOCs. The collected VOCs are then run the GC/MS.

The netCDF files were imported into MZmine software (T. Pluskal, et al. BMC Bioinformatics 11:395 (2010)) and processed with the ADAP-GC software tool using the unit mass resolution parameters suggested (A. Smirnov, et al. J. Proteome Res.171:470-478 (2018)). The resulting aligned peak list was exported in the metaboanalyst format and subsequently imported into metaboanalyst (Chong, J., et al. Nucl. Acids Res. 46, W486-494 (2018)) for statistical tests and graph generation. Compounds were identified with AMDIS and NIST 2.0. In order to extract volatiles from the Teflon material coated bags, a SPME CAR/PDMS fiber is inserted into the septum of the bag and held in place for about 60 minutes to allow VOCs to adsorb to the fibers. The SPME is then retracted and inserted into a GC-TOF, with the following settings for thermal desorption: Start at 35 degrees Celsius, hold for about 1 minute, ramp 10 degrees Celsius per minute to 50 degrees Celsius, then ramp 30 degrees Celsius per minute to 250 degrees Celsius and hold for about 2 minutes. The output chromatograph files were processed manually and then through AMDIS software to compare manual and automated mass spec methods. Results

In dogs infected with heartworm and negative control dogs without heartworm, 1L of breath was sampled from each dog using the method above (without direct physical contact between the dogs and collectors) over a 1-3 minute period.

Dog breath samples were collected and analyzed using a GC-TOF and SPME fibers to adsorb and then thermally desorb VOC compounds into the GC. Resultant chromatographs were saved and analyzed using AMDIS library software that uses an algorithm to determine which compounds are present in the chromatograph (FIG. 2 and Table 1). Individual compounds were also pulled manually and the library of compounds from samples using the automated and manual processes was compared.

TABLE 1 Sample of detected VOCs Eicosane, 3-methyl Octane, 2,3,6,7-tetramethyl Quinoxaline, 2,3-diphenyl Acetamide, 2-fluoro Asparagine Methenamine, N,N-dimethyl, N- oxide 1-Triethylsilyloxyheptadecane 1-Propanamine, N-nitro

Example 2—Compounds in Exhalant Separate D. immitis Infected Dogs from Non-Infected Dogs

Dogs known to be infected with canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and individuals who are confirmed negative were surveyed to detect VOC signatures. Exhalant sampling was performed as described in Example 1. Out of 40 sampled dogs, and negative control room air samples, a total of 411 unique VOC compounds were identified. VOCs extracted from samples were then classified into chemical class and subclass. For example, if 1,1-Difluoro-trans-2,3-dimethyl-cyclopropane was extracted from them sample, it was grouped into the class-alkenes and subclass-cyclic alkene. Once classified, heat maps were generated from the subclass to identify broad trends. Results

FIG. 3 shows a gas chromatography array heat map of D. immitis naturally infected population. Each row represents a different individual canine.

FIGS. 4A-4B show gas chromatography arrays that can demonstrate that there are significantly more VOCs in canines infected with D. immitis (FIG. 4A) as compared to non-infected canines (FIG. 4B) (395 v. 277 P<0.01). The heat map subclass of VOCs found in the exhalant of sampled dogs in FIGS. 4A-4B show that D. immitis infected canines have a broader diversity of subclass VOCs in their exhalant that non-infected (or NAD) canines. FIGS. 5A-5B show plots demonstrating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in canine exhalant. 502 total compounds were detected. Results can demonstrate that breath capture can allow for detection of distinct compounds in canine exhalant when comparing pre- and post-room sampling. FIGS. 5A-5B can demonstrate that VOCs captured from dog exhalant were significantly different than those in room air and validate the sample collection and analysis method.

FIGS. 6A-6B show plots that can demonstrate no significant differences in VOCs were attributable to sex differences. A principle component analysis (PCA) was performed based on the sex of the dog. Normalizing the data to account for potential sex differences in the volume of exhalant did not alter the observed results. FIGS. 7A-7B show plots that can demonstrate that there were no significant differences in VOCs that were attributable to weight class (5.3-12.6 kg). Data by weight was analyzed using ANOVA and/or PCA analysis. FIGS. 8A-8B show plots that can demonstrate no significant differences in VOCs were attributable to age (young v. old).

FIGS. 9A-9B show plots that can demonstrate that there are significantly more VOCs in canines infected with D. immitis (FIG. 9A) as compared to non-infected canines (FIG. 9B). With adjustment via ICR 56 peaks/compounds/features change with P <0.05. Using a FalseDiscoveryRate (FDR) of less than 0.05 (instead of p-value), 19 interesting features were observed. When the infection is changed to 4 groups and IQR and autoscaling were used, the PCA was more interesting. The ANOVA analysis with a p-value of 0.05 resulted in 53 peaks/compounds/features changing significantly (see e.g., Table 9).

TABLE 9 f.value p.value -log10(p) FDR Fisher's LSD 232/108.2246 mz/1.43 min 16.909 5.0729E−06 5.2947 0.0022625 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 416/92.2179 mz/1.45 min 13.711 2.4427E−05 4.6121 0.0054471 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 380/153.5183 mz/2.67 min 10.831 0.00012398 3.9066 0.018432 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 6/91.0714 mz/1.43 min 10.209 0.00018167 3.7407 0.020128 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 387/106.1286 mz/1.49 min 9.8658 0.00022565 3.6466 0.020128 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 324/120.9167 mz/2.91 min 9.0808 0.00037603 3.4248 0.027952 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 350/90.9607 mz/3.83 min 8.7468 0.00047053 3.3274 0.028254 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 420/123.0680 mz/3.21 min 8.3056 0.00063694 3.1959 0.028254 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 64/160.1658 mz/3.94 min 8.1885 0.00069112 3.1604 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 303/160.1201 mz/3.89 min 7.9494 0.00081805 3.0872 0.028254 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 409/118.9414 mz/4.21 min 7.9287 0.00083014 3.0808 0.028254 early-pos; early-transplant; neg- pos; neg-transplant 351/109.0858 mz/3.89 min 7.9029 0.00084549 3.0729 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 353/159.6715 mz/3.95 min 7.8787 0.00086019 3.0654 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 331/122.8530 mz/4.25 min 7.7138 0.0009681 3.0141 0.028254 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 62/155.0464 mz/3.08 min 7.6386 0.0010221 2.9905 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 404/95.0821 mz/3.79 min 7.5636 0.0010792 2.9669 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 428/97.0643 mz/3.54 min 7.5517 0.0010886 2.9631 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 352/123.0849 mz/3.93 min 7.4638 0.0011606 2.9353 0.028254 neg-pos; neg-transplant 411/109.0661 mz/4.49 min 7.4141 0.0012036 2.9195 0.028254 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 334/123.0466 mz/4.58 min 7.1703 0.0014412 2.8413 0.031614 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 270/97.0554 mz/2.79 min 7.1269 0.0014886 2.8272 0.031614 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 401/139.2714 mz/2.58 min 7.0096 0.0016253 2.7891 0.031737 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 146/116.9893 mz/3.94 min 6.9366 0.0017172 2.7652 0.031737 neg-pos; neg-transplant 407/167.2459 mz/4.10 min 6.8842 0.0017867 2.748 0.031737 neg-pos; neg-transplant 368/143.0086 mz/3.08 min 6.8763 0.0017973 2.7454 0.031737 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 347/168.0597 mz/2.79 min 6.8382 0.0018501 2.7328 0.031737 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 427/159.1007 mz/3.38 min 6.6969 0.0020609 2.6859 0.033619 neg-pos; neg-transplant 277/97.0679 mz/2.94 min 6.6658 0.0021106 2.6756 0.033619 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 329/164.9012 mz/4.43 min 6.5886 0.00224 2.6498 0.034274 neg-pos; neg-transplant 231/102.9625 mz/1.43 min 6.5514 0.0023054 2.6373 0.034274 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 393/115.0093 mz/3.94 min 6.4396 0.0025146 2.5995 0.035147 neg-pos; neg-transplant 281/97.0841 mz/3.68 min 6.4359 0.0025217 2.5983 0.035147 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 446/155.0144 mz/3.16 min 6.1672 0.0031153 2.5065 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant ll/153.3913 mz/2.22 min 6.1009 0.0032838 2.4836 0.040256 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 298/168.2153 mz/2.49 min 6.0763 0.003349 2.4751 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant 60/118.9750 mz/3.00 min 6.0444 0.0034354 2.464 0.040256 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 282/160.4001 mz/4.45 min 6.0063 0.003542 2.4508 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant 445/154.5036 mz/3.17 min 6.0015 0.0035556 2.4491 0.040256 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 12/140.9394 mz/2.26 min 5.9718 0.0036414 2.4387 0.040256 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 222/146.9607 mz/6.56 min 5.967 0.0036553 2.4371 0.040256 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant; pos-transplant 429/1119252 mz/4.39 min 5.9325 0.0037583 2.425 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant 16/132.9500 mz/2.64 min 5.9186 0.0038007 2.4201 0.040256 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 426/98.2304 mz/3.37 min 5.8921 0.0038828 2.4109 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant 370/131.0112 mz/3.93 min 5.8541 0.0040041 2.3975 0.040256 neg-pos; neg-transplant 197/166.9179 mz/2.65 min 5.8365 0.0040617 2.3913 0.040256 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 273/140.5260 mz/3.71 min 5.7787 0.0042568 2.3709 0.041273 neg-pos; neg-transplant 320/108.8446 mz/2.54 min 5.7496 0.0043589 2.3606 0.041363 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 413/110.7801 mz/4.76 min 5.719 0.0044693 2.3498 0.041527 neg-pos; neg-transplant 82/126.7050 mz/3.68 min 5.6272 0.0048185 2.3171 0.043858 neg-pos; neg-transplant 424/111.4964 mz/3.26 min 5.4948 0.0053754 2.2696 0.047948 early-transplant; neg-pos; neg- transplant 115/119.0286 mz/2.64 min 5.4416 0.0056185 2.2504 0.049134 neg-early; neg-pos; neg- transplant 335/158.4309 mz/4.68 min 5.3981 0.0058256 2.2347 0.049966 neg-pos; neg-transplant

FIG. 10 shows a gas chromatography array heat map that can demonstrate 19 distinct groupings when the differential significant features separating D. immitis infected individuals from non-infected individuals. See also Table 2. Values were determined using a metaboanalyst and IQR normalization and the values shown in Table 2 were assembled with an FDR less than 0.05. Numbers 370, 352, 64, 146, 393, and 408 were observed at very similar retention times, were observed in all spectra. As shown in Table 3, about 9 compounds were observed to differentiate samples from infected and non-infected subjects because ions observed originated from the same compound(s). Table 2 reports the identities of the compounds with AMDIS/NIST 2.0. Spectra and identities are organized by retention time and a summary of identity information by class and compound is shown in Table 2.

FIGS. 14-23 shows a representative GC-MS spectra at the various retention times as indicated.

TABLE 2 Differential Significant Features Sorted by Masses and Retention Time ion retention time FC p.adjusted 232 108.2246 mz 1.43 min 3.5965 0.040847 62 155.0464 mz 3.08 min 2.262 0.040847 427 159.1007 mz 3.38 min 10.426 0.040847 428  97.0643 mz 3.54 min 2.1943 0.048212 281  97.0841 mz 3.68 min 2.087 0.04092 303 160.1201 mz 3.89 min 5.9586 0.040847 351 109.0858 mz 3.89 min 2.1989 0.040847 370 131.0112 mz 3.93 min 4.0316 0.040847 352 123.0849 mz 3.93 min 2.4037 0.040847 64 160.1658 mz 3.94 min 6.1105 0.040847 146 116.9893 mz 3.94 min 3.586 0.040847 393 115.0093 mz 3.94 min 3.1877 0.040847 353 159.6715 mz 3.95 min 6.2927 0.040847 408 170.8526 mz 4.13 min 5.9794 0.040847 329 164.9012 mz 4.43 min 2.3253 0.041659 282 160.4001 mz 4.45 min 4.5273 0.040847 411 109.0661 mz 4.49 min 2.1721 0.040847 334 123.0466 mz 4.58 min 2.2301 0.040847

As shown in Table 3, nine distinct compounds were observed to separate infected from non-infected animals.

TABLE 3 Compounds Separating D. immitis Infected and Non-infected Canines Retention time ( min) Compound Classification Example Compound 1.43 Aromatic hydrocarbon Orthoxylene 3.08 Monoterpene p-Menthane-1,2,3-triol 3.36 Alkyl alcohol 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol 3.54 Cyclopentanone 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone 3.68 Aziridine 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6,- hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine 3.94 Alkane hydrocarbon 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro-, trans-Biphenylene 4.13 Alkane hydrocarbon 2,6,10-trimethyl-Tetradecane 4.45 Phenol 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1- enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4- one 4.58 Ketone 5,5-Dibuty Inonane

Example 3—Using VOCs from Canine Exhalant to detect D. immitis Positive Canines

Two sample sets of data was used for This Example (Data Set A and Data Set B). For both, canine exhalant samples for VOC analysis were collected using the collection methodology and GC analysis for VOCs as described in Example 1. Table 4 summarizes the similarity of GC spectra obtained from samples between Data Set A and Data Set B. * indicates spectra which exhibit more than 2 similar masses (within 0.5 amu). FIGS. 11A-11D show the data plots for the features with * in Table 4 and demonstrate that these features are all greater in the D. immitis negative canines. Although there can be some overlap in the groups shown by this data, there are at least 9 unique compounds that can be used to separate D. immitis positive and negative canines (see e.g., Example 2).

TABLE 4 Similarity of GC spectra from different data sets at two different time periods Qualitative number Retention time (min) Retention time of matching masses Data set A (min) Data set B in spectra 1.43 6.71 0 of 6 3.08* 4.73* 6 of 12* 3.36 2.02 0 of 9 3.54* 3.83* 9 of 21* 3.68* 3.79* 9 of 17* 3.89 7.24 0 of 5 3.94* 7.58* 3 of 7* 4.13 4.73 0 of 20 4.45 7.21 0 of 20 4.58 5.34 2 of 10

FIGS. 12A-12C show graphs that have been generated from the similar features identified from Data Set B corresponding to the 3.08 minute retention time in Data Set A. The X-axis in these graphs represents a random number that has been assigned to the samples. There is more than one feature in Data set B that correlates to Data set A. For clarity, the features have been graphed separately (i.e., each graph of 12A-12C corresponds to a different feature) to allow for the determination of correlations that exist amongst the different masses at the same 3.08 minute retention time. Tables 5-8 provides the sample names corresponding to the samples in the highest quartile in FIGS. 12A-12C (which should be D. immitis negative samples) and those in the lowest quartile in FIGS. 12A-12C (which should be D. immitis positive samples). FIGS. 12A-12C and Tables 5-8 demonstrate how the data can be quickly summarized into potentially positive and negative dogs (organize into high and low quartiles).

TABLE 5 Summary of high (negative) and low (positive) samples for feature at 3.08 min in Data Set A Sample 227/70.8356 mz/ 228/126.7596 mz/ 229/154.7506 mz/ Data Name Name 4.74 min 4.74 min 4.74 min Above highest Quartile. less than highest Quartile SZ_21_009.CDF 21 5754.523 645.77 547.693 SZ_26_006.CDF 26 5023.088 504.6555 398.5235 SZ_13_008.CDF 13 4960.994 466.206 462.29 SZ_18_011.CDF 18 4891.803 524.9655 321.174 SZ_6_009.CDF 6 4499.268 353.179 466.243 SZ_15_012.CDF 15 4376.842 446.2485 434.455 SZ_5_005.CDF 5 4155.86 425.7955 314.21 SZ_7_010.CDF 7 4057.997 277.1505 324.6895 SZ_2_012.CDF 2 4056.913 261.332 327.9315 SZ_27_015.CDF 27 4052.896 449.924 383.0425 SZ_24_004.CDF 24 4003.613 326.6225 330.9625 SZ_4_013.CDF 4 3919.824 321.875 310.2075 SZ_1_002.CDF 1 3810.525 340.0065 310.215 SZ_A23_SLOWERGRAD_ A23 3637.765 302.775 422.4085 009.CDF SZ_POST_LEVY_ PostLevy 3625.488 221.8565 271.0755 NEWRAMP_010.CDF SZ_AD55_JS_NEWRAMP3_ AD55 3362.805 179.97 150.864 009.CDF SZ_VAL_VE22_003.CDF Valve22 3213.003 366.347 381.5165 Below Lowest Quartile, greater than Lowest Quartile SZ_D12_SLOWERGRAD_ D12 1519.19 69.7585 1 010.CDF SZAD11_SLOWERGRAD_ ADU 1497.148 35.871 1 007.CDF SZ_AD49_L2_011.CDF AD49 1478.675 42.141 1 SZ_AD48_LS_004.CDF AD48 1440.205 1 1 SZ_AD1_MS_012.CDF AD1 1434.589 51.8715 1 SZ_A15_JS_SLOWERGRAD A15 1427.738 26.4 11.517 012.CDF SZ_A20_JS_005.CDF A20 1391.13 74.227 1 SZ_AD2_L2_002.CDF AD2 1372.26 1 1 SZ_AD20_JS_017.CDF A20 1358.535 60.284 1 SZ_C11_LM_016.CDF C11 1323.859 85.965 1 SZ_A22_L2_015.CDF A22 1318.095 77.815 12.837 SZ_AD244_L2_008.CDF AD244 1255.252 28.149 1 SZ_A21_L2_006.CDF A21 1248.575 21.417 1 SZ_AD44_SL0WERGRAD_ AD44 1246.271 28.842 1 003.CDF SZAD5SLOWERGRAD_ AD5 1198.832 1 58.575 002.CDF SZ_E10_JS_010.CDF E10 1166.344 36.894 1 SZ_AD15_L2_009.CDF AD15 1036.004 1 1 SZ_A6_L2_002.CDF A6 767.052 1 1

Tables 6-8 show the other retention times that have similar masses in the top 25% and lowest 25% of the data.

TABLE 6 Data somewhat corresponding to retention time 3.53 min in Aug data (masses are not similar between Data Set A and Data Set B) Sample 237/90.8027 mz/ 96/92.8056 mz/ Raw Data Name 3.80 min 3.80 min Highest Quartile, not highest quartile SZ_AD55_JS_NEWRAMP3_009.CDF AD55 1829.707 907.667 SZ_A25_L2_002.CDF L2 1236.781 465.3175 SZ_AD33_SLOWERGRAD_005.CDF AD33 1213.878 380.685 SZ_AD14_MS_004.CDF ADU 1211.287 530.948 SZ_AD3_MS_003.CDF AD33 1204.637 457.2895 SZ_A14_L2_004.CDF AU 1197.947 463.524 SZ_E13_LM_008.CDF E13 1183.106 510.894 SZ_D24_LM_006.CDF D24 1157.946 322.012 SZ_AD2_L2_002.CDF AD2 1130.862 323.278 SZ_C13_JS_009.CDF C13 1128.181 525.7715 SZ_AD50_SLOWERGRAD_004.CDF AD50 1124.335 398.223 SZ_B8_JS_008.CDF B8 1050.69 334.524 SZ_C7_JS_005.CDF C7 1039.446 435.5115 SZ_C3_LH_003.CDF C3 1021.188 311.7775 SZ_C15_LM_006.CDF C15 1015.984 215.44 SZ_AD14_MS_014. CDF ADU 1012.418 408.7545 SZ_D4_JS_007.CDF D4 1006.497 412.414 SZ_AD56_L2_005. CDF AD56 989.263 223.188 Lowest Quartile, Not lowest Quartile SZ_AD27_JS_005.CDF AD27 675.2885 339.538 SZ_A13_JS_003.CDF A13 670.6425 211.967 SZ_A6_L2_002.CDF A6 647.4895 156.718 SZ_5 _005.CDF 5 636.974 301.912 SZ_6_009.CDF 6 615.924 313.1045 SZ_13_008.CDF 13 613.1725 393.8025 SZ_15_012.CDF 15 593.4915 358.671 SZ_D12_SL0WERGRAD_010.CDF D12 586.147 387.0505 SZ_A16_SLOWERGRAD_008.CDF A16 567.631 152.2685 SZ_VALVE22_003. CDF Valve22 560.384 399.01 SZ_4_013.CDF 4 558.0395 329.0755 SZ_25_011.CDF 25 557.545 373.0275 SZ_27_015.CDF 27 554.303 271.731 SZ_A23_SLOWERGRAD_009.CDF A23 547.1245 216.843 SZ_POST_LEVY_NEWRAMP_010. Post Levy 546.554 208.455 CDF SZ_20_014.CDF 20 525.272 202.8755 SZ_3_010.CDF 3 511.1785 230.6745 SZ_24_004.CDF 24 501.9515 343.4015

TABLE 7 Data corresponding to 3.68 min data Sample 33/97.0027mz/ 176/111.7699 mz/ 234/127.0192 mz/ Raw Data Name Name 3.79 min 3.79 min 3.79 min Highest Quartile, not highest quartile SZ_AD55_JS_NEWRAMP3_ Ad55 45370.71 20806.43 38518.84 009. CDF SZ_7_010.CDF 7 30710.1 12700.16 28218 SZ_AD_14MS_004.CDF AD14 28654.31 18615.08 26107.56 SZ_C13_JS_009.CDF C13 28023.2 18197.41 27151.24 SZ_1_002.CDF 1 27573.2 10854.24 24612.24 SZ_A14_L2_004.CDF A14 27377.51 14308.14 23895.98 SZ_AD7_L2_013.CDF AD7 27295.76 14861.61 23426.51 SZ_A25_L2_002.CDF A25 27191.07 15086.54 24416.98 SZ_B8_JS_008.CDF B8 26779.48 16057.21 23541.81 SZ_AD3_MS_003.CDF AD3 26592.99 18009.45 25209.92 SZ_A8_JS_012.CDF A8 26479.03 13981.42 23544.45 SZ_AD50_SLOWERGRAD_ AD50 26432.77 13919.8 23864.33 004.CDF SZ_D24_LM_006.CDF D24 26403.33 16339.96 24505.41 SZ_AD6_MS_004. CDF AD6 25934.98 13868.35 23829.2 SZ_AD33_SLOWERGRAD_ AD33 25823.78 15770.23 24037.61 005.CDF SZ_C7_JS_005.CDF C7 25351.06 15921.14 24384.26 SZ_AD14_MS_014.CDF ADU 25015 16464.67 23252.24 SZ_E13_LM_008.CDF C13 24995.62 18617.3 25378.71 SZ_AD20_JS_017.CDF AD20 24933.97 13161.99 22657.5 Lowest Quartile, Or Not lowest Quartile SZ_AD5_SLOWERGRAD_ AD5 19730.85 9766.892 16465.34 002.CDF SZ_VALVE22_003 .CDF Valve 22 19663.9 8187.309 19691.95 SZ_A21_L2_006.CDF A21 19484.15 11180.51 17797.63 SZ_A16_SLOWERGRAD_ A16 19379.12 10207.05 17248.51 008.CDF SZ_25_011.CDF 25 19361.11 8733.576 21431.32 SZ_POST_LEVY_ PostLevy 19271.3 8207.461 18172.49 NEWRAMP_010.CDF SZ_A13_JS_003.CDF A13 19084.75 10280.04 18324.75 SZ_5_005.CDF 5 19072.19 8306.722 21113.61 SZ_27_015.CDF 27 18414.56 8141.893 19411.7 SZ_15_012.CDF 15 18354.12 8187.829 19293.76 SZ_3_010.CDF 3 18294.67 7803.813 18935.94 SZ_A22_L2_015.CDF A22 18017.62 11509.92 17913.81 SZ_4_013.CDF 4 17535.35 8057.858 16434.94 SZ_E10_JS_010.CDF E10 17404.72 9887.275 16566.51 SZ_24_004.CDF 24 17306 7768.042 19121.71 SZ_AD15_L2_009.CDF A15 16306.37 9535.646 14804.2 SZ_A6_L2_002.CDF A6 15633.03 8462.27 13975.62 SZ_20_014.CDF 20 14400.06 6530.087 15983.3

TABLE 8 Data corresponding to 3.94 min data, the optimal matching ion is 146 Sample 212/146.5202 mz/ 238/86.4858 mz/ 225/102.6128 mz/ 276/136.6017 mz/ Raw Data name name 7.61 min 7.61 min 7.62 min 7.61 min Highest Quartile or NOT SZ_POST_LEVY_ post 1674.954 1586.913 2120.477 815.1765 NEWRAMP_010.CDF levy SZ_AD2_L2_002.CDF AD2 763.4315 1294.668 1961.084 245.382 SZ_A20_JS_005.CDF A20 643.065 2090.545 1367.459 233.127 SZ_A25_L2_002.CDF A25 633.381 2193.089 1489.074 111.615 SZ_1_002.CDF 1 451.6445 1670.223 1094.59 153.5655 SZ_AD5_SLOWERGRAD_ AD5 434.0335 1463.172 1056.681 70.202 002.CDF SZ_D4_JS_007.CDF D4 384.058 1812.007 1062.7 102.1615 SZ_A6_L2 002.CDF A6 250.137 1313.233 607.3385 52.0925 SZ_AD244_L2_008.CDF AD244 223.1045 1153.193 622.369 41.58 SZ_27_015.CDF 27 200.384 1492.889 846.379 62.04 SZ_A15_JS_SLOWERGRAD_ A15 200.261 1193.05 569.8395 012.CDF SZ_AD55_JS_ AD55 192.21 1162.376 689.9545 126.175 NEWRAMP3_009.CDF SZ_20_014.CDF 20 141.7775 1062.795 577.502 SZ_E10_JS_010.CDF E10 122.916 1212.349 471.4135 23.991 SZ_6_009.CDF 6 88.477 948.502 391.126 13.959 SZ_AD33_SLOWERGRAD_ AD33 80.709 792.192 311.151 005.CDF Lowest Quartile or NOT SZ_C3_LH_003.CDF C3 26.928 1078.892 322.9545 SZ_E13_LM_008.CDF E13 26.103 1371.137 349.731 SZ_C15_LM_006.CDF C15 25.806 1281.96 310.3735 SZ_AD49_L2_011.CDF AD49 24.5235 766.522 162.498 SZ_D12_SLOWERGRAD_ D12 24.453 917.146 260.0745 010.CDF SZ_AD6_MS_004.CDF AD6 13.497 939.1435 167.8865 SZ_A4_JS_007.CDF A4 13.233 751.483 197.224 SZ_AD14_MS_014.CDF ADU 12.969 1233.677 335.4395 14.685 SZ_C11_LM_016.CDF C11 12.408 1009.668 285.038 SZ_A13_JS_003.CDF A13 12.309 639.2045 97.683 SZ_AD4_MS_009.CDF AD49 11.946 973.759 158.744 SZ_13_008.CDF 13 11.418 926.487 320.874 SZ_15_012.CDF 15 11.319 918.113 217.2635 SZ_A8_JS_012.CDF A8 10.692 1141.676 301.6715 SZ_A2_JS_ A2 10.527 692.7165 335.727 10.8665 SLOWERGRAD_11.CDF SZ_4_013.CDF 4 10.3075 1162.103 300.995 10.197 SZ_A17_JS_006.CDF A17 859.7025 83.391 SZ_AD44_ AD44 758.7385 252.991 SLOWERGRAD_003.CDF SZ_A22_L2_015.CDF A22 978.504 143.798 SZ_AD15_L2_009. CDF AD15 577.526 112.2795 SZ_AD1_MS_012.CDF AD1 774.4865 218.4395 SZ_5_005.CDF 5 971.101 268.3705 SZ_A14_L2_004.CDF AU 1081.059 352.318 SZ_26_006.CDF 26 1001.473 207.385 SZ_D15_JS_007.CDF D15 1087.344 307.2945

FIG. 13 shows a table demonstrating samples found to be in the highest (negative for D. immitis) and lowest (positive for D. immitis) quartiles from Tables 5-8. Columns and rows are organized low to high. The medium gray shading with white lettering indicates that the sample can be found in both the highest and lowest quartiles (for different features). The black shading with white lettering indicates that the sample can be found only in the highest quartiles. The lightest gray shading with black lettering indicates that the sample can be found only in the lowest quartiles. The white with black lettering indicates a sample was only found a single time.

Various modifications and variations of the described methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the invention. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure come within known customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth.

Further attributes, features, and embodiments of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following numbered aspects of the disclosed invention. Reference to disclosure in any of the preceding aspects is applicable to any preceding numbered aspect and to any combination of any number of preceding aspects, as recognized by appropriate antecedent disclosure in any combination of preceding aspects that can be made. The following numbered aspects are provided:

-   1. A Dirofilaria exhalant signature comprising:

one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selected from the group consisting of: an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, and combinations thereof

-   2. The Dirofilaria exhalant signature of aspect 1, wherein the     number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 1, 2, 3, 4,     5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, or 15. -   3. The Dirofilaria exhalant signature of any one of aspects 1-2,     wherein the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is     9 and wherein the 9 VOCs are an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene,     an alkyl alcohol, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, two alkane     hydrocarbons, a phenol, and a ketone. -   4. The Dirofilaria exhalant signature of any one of aspects 1-3,     wherein the one or more VOCs are ortho xylene,     p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol,     2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone,     2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,     8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane,     5,6, 6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and     5,5-Dibutylnonane. -   5. The Dirofilaria exhalant signature of any one of aspects 1-4,     wherein the one or more VOCs are selected from the group consisting     of: ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol,     3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone,     2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine,     1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene,     2,6,10-trimethyl-tetradecane,     5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut-1-enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and     5,5-Dibutylnonane. -   6. The Dirofilaria exhalant signature of any one of aspects 1-5,     wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is a Dirofilaria immitis,     Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria ursi, D.     subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis exhalant signature. -   7. A non-invasive method of diagnosing, prognosing, staging, and/or     monitoring Dirofilaria infection in a subject, the method     comprising:

detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is as in any one of any one of aspects 1-6,

whereby detection of a decrease, increase, or both of one or more VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

-   8. The method of aspect 7, wherein the Dirofilaria infection is a     Dirofilaria immitis infection. -   9. The method of any one of aspects 7-8, wherein the subject is a     human. -   10. The method of any one of aspects 7-8, wherein the subject is a     non-human animal. -   11. The method of aspect 10, the subject is a canine. -   12. A method of treating and/or preventing Dirofilaria infection in     a subject, the method comprising:

non-invasively diagnosing, prognosing, and/or staging Dirofilaria infection in the subject by detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is as in any one of aspects 1-6,

whereby detection of a decrease, increase, or both of one or more VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject; and

administering to the subject an anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, administering to the subject a treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, or both.

-   13. The method of aspect 12, wherein the subject is a canine. -   14. The method of aspects 12-13, wherein the Dirofilaria is D.     immitis. -   15. The method of any one of aspects 12-14, wherein the anthelmintic     effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria     comprises:

ivermectin, moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, selamectin, eprinomectin, or a combination thereof.

-   16. The method of any one of aspects 12-15, further comprising     co-administering a composition effective to prevent, treat, or both     an intestinal parasite, an external parasite, or both. -   17. The method of any one of aspects 12-16, wherein the composition     effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, an     external parasite, or both is one or more compounds of one or more     of the following classes benzimidazole, piperazine, depolarizing     tetrahydropyrimidines, a macrocyclic lactone, neonicotinoid,     phenylpyrazole, oxadiazine, pyrethrin, pyrethroid, isoxazoline, an     insect growth regulator, or any combination thereof. -   18. The method of any one of aspects 12-17, wherein the composition     effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite,     external parasite, or both is pyrantel, pyrantel pamoate, febantel,     praziquantel, oxibendazole, piperazine, spinosad, fluralaner,     afoxolaner, fipronil, sarolaner, lotilaner, lufenuron, imidacloprid,     Methoprene, S-methoprene, pyriproxyfen, fenbendazole, flumethrin,     selamectin, eprinomectin, indoxacarb, permethrin, nitenpyram, or any     combination thereof. -   19. The method of any one of aspects 12-18, wherein the treatment     effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises     administering melarsomine to the subject. -   20. The method of any one of aspects 12-18, wherein the treatment     effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises     administering a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic effective to kill     adult Dirofilaria. -   21. The method of any one of aspects 12-20, wherein the subject is     administered treatment effective to kill the adult stage of     Dirofilaria and the method further comprises administering an amount     of doxycycline for two or more concurrent days to the subject. -   22. The method of aspect 21, wherein the amount of doxycycline is     administered for about 30 days. -   23. A device configured to collect an exhalant for analysis of     volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the exhalant of a     single non-human animal subject, comprising:

an exhalant collector configured to actively and non-invasively collect exhalant expelled from the non-human animal subject without being placed in an orifice of the subject; and

one or more removable collection chambers, each removable collection chamber configured to hold an amount of exhalant collected and are suitable for containment of VOCs, wherein the one or more removable collection chambers are operatively coupled to the exhalant collector.

-   24. The device of aspect 23, wherein the exhalant collector     comprises or is coupled to one or more low pressure air pumps     capable of moving exhalant external to the device into the exhalant     collector and into the one or more removable collection chambers. -   25. The device any one of aspects 23-24, wherein the device     comprises one or more one-way air valves configured to control the     flow of exhalant in one direction through the device from the     external environment through the exhalant collector and into and     optionally through the one or more removable collection chambers. -   26. The device of any one of aspects 23-25, wherein the exhalant     collector is a tube that is configured to be placed in effective     proximity to a mouth, nose, nostrils, or a combination thereof of     the subject during collection and draw exhalant into the exhalant     collector. -   27. The device of any one of aspects 23-25, wherein the exhalant     collector is a mask that is configured to cover the mouth and nose     of the subject. -   28. The device of any one of aspects 23-27, wherein the exhalant     collector, the one or more removable collection chambers, or both     comprise one or more filters. -   29. The device of aspect 28, wherein at least one of the one or more     filters is effective to remove environmental VOCs from exhalant     collected. -   30. The device of any one of aspects 23-29, wherein the exhalant     collector is operatively coupled to the one or more removable     collection chambers via one or more tubes. -   31. The device of any one of aspects 23-30, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for     analysis. -   32. The device of any one of aspects 23-30, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of     capturing and retaining VOCs from collected exhalant. -   33. The device of any one of aspects 23-32, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or     enriching VOCs from collected exhalant. -   34. The device of any one of aspects 32-33, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of     releasing VOCs that are captured by a material in the one or more     removable collection chambers. -   35. The device of any one of aspects 32-34, wherein the one or more     collection chambers are tubes, bags, reservoirs, cartridges, or a     combination thereof. -   36. A kit comprising:

one or more removable collection chambers configured for the device of any one of aspects 23-35 and instructions fixed in a tangible medium of expression wherein the instructions provide directions for using the one or more removable collection chambers to collect volatile organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in the subject.

-   37. The kit of aspect 36, wherein the one or more removable     collection chambers is configured to preserve VOCs for analysis. -   38. The kit of any one of aspects 36-37, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers wherein the one or more removable     collection chambers is capable of concentrating and/or enriching     VOCs from collected exhalant. -   39. The kit of any one of aspects 36-37, wherein the one or more     removable collection chambers comprises a material capable of     releasing VOCs that are captured by a material in the one or more     removable collection chambers. -   40. A kit comprising a device as in any one of aspects 23-35 and     directions fixed in a tangible medium of expression for using the     one or more removable collection chambers to collect volatile     organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a     Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a     Dirofilaria infection in the subject. -   41. Use of a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample to     diagnose, prognose, monitor, treat, or prevent Dirofilaria infection     in a subject or any combination thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of non-invasively detecting Dirofilaria infection in a subject, the method comprising: (a) detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature in an exhalant sample obtained from the subject, wherein the Dirofilaria exhalant signature comprises one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) selected from the group consisting of: an aromatic hydrocarbon, a monoterpene, a cyclopentanone, an aziridine, an alkane hydrocarbon, a phenol, a ketone, and combinations thereof, whereby detection of a decrease or increase of one or more VOCs of the Dirofilaria exhalant signature as compared to a threshold value, a suitable control, or both indicates the presence or absence of Dirofilaria infection in the subject.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising (b) administering to a subject determined in step (a) to not have a Dirofilaria infection an anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times; or (c) administering to a subject determined in step (a) to have a Dirofilaria infection a treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times, an anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria in the subject one or more times or both.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of VOCs in the Dirofilaria exhalant signature is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, or
 15. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more VOCs are selected from the group consisting of: ortho xylene, p-Methane-1,2,3-triol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-1-Dodecanol, 2-ethyl-Cyclohexanone, 2-mehtyl-2-(2,2,4,4,6,6-hexamethylheptyl)-Aziridine, 1,2,3,6,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro, trans-Biphenylene, 2,6,10-trimethyl- tetradecane, 5,6,6-Trimethyl-5-(3-oxobut enyl)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one, and 5,5-Dibutylnonane.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Dirofilaria is Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria ursi, D. subdermata, D. striata, or a D. hongkongensis.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the anthelmintic effective to prevent at least the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises: ivermectin, moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, selamectin, eprinomectin, or any combination thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising co-administering a composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, external parasite, or both.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, external parasite, or both is one or more compounds of one or more of the following classes benzimidazole, piperazine, depolarizing tetrahydropyrimidines, a macrocyclic lactone, neonicotinoid, phenylpyrazole, oxadiazine, pyrethrin, pyrethroid, isoxazoline, an insect growth regulator, and any combination thereof
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the composition effective to prevent, treat, or both an intestinal parasite, external parasite, or both is selected from pyrantel, pyrantel pamoate, febantel, praziquantel, oxibendazole, piperazine, spinosad, fluralaner, afoxolaner, fipronil, sarolaner, lotilaner, lufenuron, imidacloprid, Methoprene, S-methoprene, pyriproxyfen, fenbendazole, flumethrin, selamectin, eprinomectin, indoxacarb, permethrin, nitenpyram, and any combination thereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises administering melarsomine to the subject.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria comprises administering a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic effective to kill adult
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is administered treatment effective to kill the adult stage of Dirofilaria and the method further comprises administering an amount of doxycycline for two or more concurrent days to the subject, and wherein the amount of doxycycline is optionally administered for about 30 days.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a human.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a non-human animal, optionally a canine.
 15. A device configured to collect an exhalant for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the exhalant of a single non-human animal subject, comprising: an exhalant collector configured to actively and non-invasively collect exhalant expelled from the non-human animal subject without being placed in an orifice of the subject; and one or more removable collection chambers, each removable collection chamber configured to hold an amount of exhalant collected and are suitable for containment of VOCs, wherein the one or more removable collection chambers are operatively coupled to the exhalant collector.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the exhalant collector comprises or is coupled to one or more low pressure air pumps capable of moving exhalant external to the device into the exhalant collector and into the one or more removable collection chambers.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises one or more one-way air valves configured to control the flow of exhalant in one direction through the device from the external environment through the exhalant collector and into and optionally through the one or more removable collection chambers.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the exhalant collector is a tube that is configured to be placed in effective proximity to a mouth, nose, nostrils, or a combination thereof of the subject during collection and draw exhalant into the exhalant collector, and wherein the exhalant collector is optionally a mask that is configured to cover the mouth and nose of the subj ect.
 19. The device of claim 23, wherein the exhalant collector, the one or more removable collection chambers, or both comprise one or more filters, wherein at least one of the one or more filters is effective to remove environmental VOCs from exhalant collected and optionally comprises a material capable of capturing VOCs, retaining VOCs, preserving VOCs, concentrating VOCs, enriching VOCs, releasing captured VOCs, or any combination thereof from collected exhalant.
 20. A kit comprising: one or more removable collection chambers configured to use in a device of claim 15, wherein the one or more removable collection chambers comprise one or more filters, wherein at least one of the one or more filters is effective to remove environmental VOCs from exhalant collected and optionally comprises a material capable of capturing VOCs, retaining VOCs, preserving VOCs, concentrating VOCs, enriching VOCs, releasing captured VOCs, or any combination thereof from collected exhalant; and instructions fixed in a tangible medium of expression wherein the instructions provide directions for using the one or more removable collection chambers to collect volatile organic compounds from an exhalant of a subject and detecting a Dirofilaria exhalant signature to diagnose, prognose, and/or stage a Dirofilaria infection in the subject. 